“Red wine protects the health of the heart and blood vessels.” This magic recipe is heard everywhere. It is the delight of lovers of the pleasures of the table. But is it really justified?
Liver and alcohol: the wrong mix
The foie is the organ which allows the degradation ofalcohol but he is also the one who drinks the most in the event of excessive consumption.
Alcohol that we consume is almost completely absorbed by the digestive tract.
A small part (about 10%) is eliminated by the kidneys via the urine and lungs in the exhaled air.
Most of it is sent to the liver which will degrade it thanks to two enzymes.
This process will happen to a point.
If a person drinks too much alcohol, too quickly, they will saturate these enzymes …
In addition, by breaking down alcohol, the liver will produce a molecule that is toxic to cells: acetaldehyde.
When the amount of alcohol consumed is too much for the liver, liver function will stop.
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The first consequence of such consumption is the formation of a deposit of fat inside the hepatitis cells, called steatosis.
Continuing to drink alcohol will cause inflammation and then destruction of liver cells. Scar tissue will form, this is called fibrosis.
Some positive leads …
Light to moderate alcohol consumption (1 to 2 glasses of alcohol maximum per day) may have certain health benefits. health :
– For the cardiovascular illnesses (only after 40 years): alcohol increases the level of good cholesterol in the blood, which helps to reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, taking alcohol thins the blood within hours of consuming it, which helps circulation.
– For the Type 2 diabetes (only after 40 years): according to the researchers, alcohol makes the cells of the body more sensitive to the action of insulin, thus facilitating the metabolism of glucose.
– For the cognitive decline in the elderly, thanks to a certain protective effect of alcohol on the brain.
To consume with moderation
Alcohol is bad for the liver even in small doses. But it is estimated that it represents a significant health risk from:
– 20 to 40 grams, or 2 to 4 glasses of alcohol per day for women
– 40 to 60 grams, or 4 to 6 glasses of alcohol per day in humans
Chronic alcohol consumption thus remains associated with numerous liver damage, including cirrhosis, l’alcoholic hepatitis.
Alcohol also acts on the development of many cancers (breast, mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, colon and liver) and increases the risk of Stroke.
If you don’t drink alcohol …
Do not think about getting started just to take advantage of its few benefits!
No matter how good it is, alcohol consumption can never compensate for the lack ofexercise, a bad food and the smoking.
A healthy lifestyle remains the preferred strategy to guard against the diseases that threaten us.
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