China's drinking culture boasts a long history, with the custom of alcohol consumption dating back to ancient times. While drinking is common in daily life, it isn't suitable for everyone. Certain groups should avoid alcohol. Let's explore who these individuals are. Who Should Avoid Alcohol? * Individuals with liver issues■ Individuals with poor liver health
As we know, the liver is the organ responsible for metabolism in the body. After alcohol enters our system, it must be metabolized by the liver. For those with pre-existing liver issues, liver function is already impaired compared to healthy individuals. Consuming alcohol in this state places an additional burden on the liver, further deteriorating its function and increasing the risk of liver diseases. This is particularly detrimental to overall health.
■Individuals with Hypertension or Heart Disease
Alcohol consumption can cause excitement and stimulate the brain, leading to vasodilation and elevated blood pressure. For those already suffering from hypertension, continued drinking may potentially cause blood vessel rupture, ultimately resulting in fatal consequences.Individuals with heart disease may experience adverse symptoms like arrhythmia or accelerated heart rate after drinking. Both groups must strictly avoid alcohol. ■ Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders Those with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions should also avoid alcohol, as alcoholic beverages are classified as pungent foods.Its strong irritant properties can adversely affect even healthy individuals when consumed excessively. For those with pre-existing gastrointestinal dysfunction, alcohol worsens gastric mucosal damage, causing symptoms like bloating and belching. Consumption may exacerbate existing conditions and potentially lead to gastric perforation.■ Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can disrupt fetal development, potentially causing birth defects, premature birth, or stillbirth, thereby jeopardizing a healthy pregnancy. For breastfeeding women, drinking alcohol indirectly exposes the infant to alcohol, significantly impacting the baby's normal development. This practice must be strictly avoided.
How exactly does alcohol harm the body once ingested?
Having identified groups who should avoid alcohol, let's explore its broader effects on health.
First, alcohol severely damages the liver.Chronic alcohol consumption overloads the liver, leading to conditions like alcoholic liver disease and fatty liver. Without timely intervention, this can progress to alcoholic cirrhosis, posing a serious threat to the patient's life.
Second, chronic drinking can also impact the pancreas, not only triggering acute pancreatitis but also chronic pancreatitis. Over time, alcohol further increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.Persistent conjunctival congestion impairs local tissue nutrition, potentially leading to chronic conjunctivitis and other conditions.
References:
Seven Groups for Whom Alcohol Consumption Can Be Life-Threatening [J]. Poultry Science, 2016-08-10.