Alcohol Q&A: We Answer Questions About All Things Drink-Related

What is alcohol?

How does alcohol work? 

What alcohol does to your brain?

Why do some people show different signs of intoxication?

What are the common symptoms of a hangover?

What are the most effective cures for a hangover?

How long does alcohol stay in your system?

Is drinking bad for your health?

What is heavy drinking?

What is the safe level of drinking?

What are the long term effects of alcohol?

Which liquors are safe to drink?

What is alcohol?

Alcohol or ethanol is found in alcoholic drinks like beer, cider, and vodka which makes you feel euphoric and relaxed. 

Alcohol is made by fermenting the sugars of a variety of food through yeast. For example, vodka is made of sugar found in potatoes and wine is made from sugar in grapes. 

How does alcohol work? 

Alcohol acts as a depressant which impedes the nervous system by affecting neurons.  As you drink, the alcohol slowly enters your bloodstream, travels throughout your whole body (also affects the child during pregnancy), and works its way up to the brain. It slows down brain functions which ultimately leads to drowsiness and relaxation of muscles.

What alcohol does to your brain?

Alcohol affects your mind and behavior. It’s the reason why you suddenly act on stupid ideas or have the courage to talk to that person across the bar. It acts as a hypnotic drug that lowers the nervous system and leads you to an intoxicated state.

Why do people show different signs of intoxication?

Factors like gender, age, body makeup and health condition affect how intoxicated one can be. For example, a person who drinks on an empty stomach is more likely to get drunk because alcohol easily permeates through. 

Several studies suggest that DNA also plays a huge part for people who do not get drunk and have a hangover. But they are more inclined to be alcohol dependent because they do not experience the downsides of consuming too much alcohol.

What are the common symptoms of a hangover?

Headache, nausea, inflammation and dizziness are the common signs of a hangover. Alcohol is a diuretic which causes the body to dispel sodium and water through urinating. This leads to dehydration and increased blood pressure that leads to headache and sluggishness. Increased acid level on an empty stomach leads to inflamed stomach linings and nausea.

What are the most effective cures for a hangover?

The most common cure is hydrating your body, either through water or an electrolyte drink. Several natural remedies like tea extract and fruit smoothies have been found to be most effective in easing headache and nausea.

If you want to have an extensive list of effective hangover cures, you can head on here. 

How long does alcohol stay in your system?

The more you drink, the higher your blood alcohol level is. For an average person, 10 g of alcohol can break down in an hour. Even if you stop drinking, your blood alcohol concentration will increase as it enters the stomach and the bloodstream. The only thing needed to lower your BAC is time. Alcohol cannot be removed from the blood through vomiting or sweating.

Is drinking bad for your health?

Several studies suggest that drinking in moderation may be beneficial for the health but most researchers suggest otherwise. Conflicting analysis generates no definite solutions, but no matter the conclusion it is important to remind yourself that alcohol abuse will definitely affect your health condition. Alcohol is a toxic and addictive substance that can do permanent damage to your body if consumed frequently. From high blood pressure to liver problems, we’re sure you get the gist.

What is heavy drinking?

A heavy drinker is determined by the number of drinks consumed and whether they are a male or female. You are one if you drink 8 or more for female and 15 or more for male in a week. 

What is the safe level of drinking?

If you want to know what number of drinks in a day should pass as safe level, then a single serving of alcohol should suffice. But according to a global study, alcohol is a leading determinant of health conditions worldwide and that “the safest level of drinking is none.”

What are the long term effects of alcohol?

Impairment of health condition seems to be the common trend on people who consume alcohol on the daily, especially on heavy drinkers. People develop high blood pressure, liver damage, and other heart-related diseases. 

Which liquors are safe to drink?

Non-colored alcohol will always be the better choice if you want to avoid a severe hangover. Dark liquors like red wine and whiskey contain high levels of congener which contribute to intense hangover symptoms.