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The Dangers of Alcohol
We've heard it said time and again
that Indian society frowns upon women who drink. Well, if that wasn't enough
motivation to quit, we understand - and even secretly approve (shush!).
But that doesn't mean we endorse drinking. We don't. In fact, what we're
telling you is to quit, or drink responsibly - not because of 'what-will-people-say'.
But because, to put it simply, alcohol can kill.
Women have less tolerance
to alcohol
They get drunk faster, and are faster
affected by alcohol related diseases than men. Researchers found that women
who regularly have two drinks a day face a significant risk of liver damage;
men are at risk only after more than six drinks a day.
Why, why, WHY?
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We're getting to it... Primarily, it's
because women are smaller than men, so equivalent doses of alcohol produce
higher levels of concentration in women's bodies.
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Women have lower total body water content
than men of the same size. Because of this, the concentration of alcohol
in their blood is higher than that in men, after drinking the same amount
of alcohol.
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Women have less of Alcohol Dehydrogenase
(a metabolizing enzyme that helps the body get alcohol out of its system)
than men, so metabolisation of alcohol is slower in women.
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Fluctuations in hormonal balance during
menstruation further affect the metabolisation of alcohol
Drinking alcohol
when pregnant can harm your baby
There are no two ways about it. Aznd
no, it is not alright to take 'just a little drink' when pregnant. The
alcohol in your blood can get carried into the baby's bloodstream causing
birth difficulties, abnormalities and even a miscarriage. Plus, if you
are planning to conceive, it is unclear how early into the pregnancy you
must stop drinking. So it is best if you abstain from alcohol when planning
a pregnancy, when pregnant and when breast feeding. The best gift you can
give your child is that of good health.
Addiction
Women also become addicted more easily.
And the result can be fatal: Female alcoholics are twice as likely to die
of alcohol-related diseases as male alcoholics. What's more, a greater
percentage of alcoholic women die from accidents, violence and suicide.
Liver Damage
The detrimental effects of alcohol
on the liver are more severe for women than for men, and are caused after
a much shorter period of heavy drinking.
Breast Cancer?
Drinking doesn't cause breast cancer
but there is data which suggests that heavy drinking may increase the risk
of developing breast cancer.
Weight Gain
Alcohol is so high in calories that
it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out it can make you fat. They
don't call it a 'beer belly' for nothing. If a fuller cheek, fatter waistline
and chunky hips is what you fancy, have your daily glass of wine.
Ragged Appearance
Let's not pretend we don't know alcohol
is bad for health. It destroys the body's cells, is addictive and causes
nothing but damage. It inhibits the body's ability to use vitamins, proteins
and calcium, resulting in dull skin and hair. If your alcohol intake has
shot up and so have your dandruff and acne problems, you know why.
Lower Resistance
Abuse of alcohol can also lead to
malnutrition and lowered resistance to disease, which presents an entirely
new set of problems, not only to your looks but your health as well. No
one can say for sure, but abstinence may be one of the ways a woman can
stay healthier and looking younger longer. Besides, who needs pimples?
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