Alcohol is often portrayed in a bad light by society, which isn’t very fair to this drink. It is true that in many cases there is a dosage-effect relation between alcohol consumption and the development of certain diseases. What isn’t told is that with a light to moderate alcohol consumption, the beneficial effects partly way out the negative effects. Every form of alcohol consumption carries a certain risk but there are limits within the use of alcohol which causes little damage to our health. I can’t tell you not to drink alcohol, but I can help you understand exactly what alcohol does to your body and how to best deal with it.
A hangover is an annoying feeling to have after a fun night of partying. The causes of a hangover are not yet fully known, but there are a few reasons that can be of influence. The most likely reason is fluid loss. “That is not possible, alcohol is also a liquid?” Well yes but no. Alcohol causes the hormone that prevents excessive urinating to be less active; the diuretic hormone (5). As a result, one needs to urinate a lot when a lot of alcohol is consumed. This can dehydrate your body even if you are drinking fluids. You almost immediately lose all the fluid that you drank with an alcoholic beverage. Symptoms may then occur, such as thirst, weakness, and drowsiness. These can be enhanced by heat or exertion.
On average, an adult should consume about 1.5 to 2 litres of fluids per day (1). Drinks that fall under the category 'liquid' are: Water and tea or coffee without sugar. It is not recommended to choose coffee as a liquid option when you drink alcohol. Alcohol makes you react more slowly. The caffeine from the coffee speeds up the reaction time, the same goes for energy drinks. The caffeine dampens the influence of alcohol on the body (2). This makes you feel more sober than you actually are. This could make you drink more and therefore make you dehydrate faster. To prevent a hangover, it is better to drink a glass of water between consuming alcohol and before going to sleep after partying. If you do choose to drink alcohol, it is better to do so when you are rested and feeling good.
Be sure to be safe about your alcohol consumption so you won’t regret it not only the day after but later in life as well.
Sources:
1: Voedingscentrum. (z.d.). Wat zijn de bijwerkingen en effecten van energiedrank? Geraadpleegd op 20 maart 2020, van https://www.voedingscentrum.nl/nl/service/vraag-en-antwoord/gezonde-voeding-en-voedingsstoffen/energiedrank-wat-zijn-de-bijwerkingen-en-effecten.aspx
2: Voedingscentrum. (z.d.-a). Vocht en drinken. Geraadpleegd op 18 maart 2020, van https://www.voedingscentrum.nl/encyclopedie/vocht.aspx
3: Diesfeldt, H. (2008). Geen dorst? Wel drinken. Denkbeeld, 20(4), 24–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03076624
4: Lemmers, L. (2008). Gezondheidsaspecten van alcoholgebruik voor vrouwen. Bijblijven, 24(7), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03076369
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