Dear colleagues and students,Alcoholic beverages are beverages fermented with fruit, barley, rye, etc. There are a lot of misunderstandings about drinking alcohol. Let's discuss them one by one.
Will drinking alcohol quench thirst and clear the heat?
No. On the contrary, drinking alcohol will make you feel more thirsty and increase your risk of getting heat stroke during hot weather. This is because alcohol promotes elimination of water via the kidneys as urine. Is having red face after drinking a sign of good health?
After drinking, alcohol will be broken down into acetaldehyde which will be further converted into harmless chemicals by an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver. People who get a red face when drinking alcohol is primarily due to an inherited lack of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to acetaldehyde getting accumulated in the body. This accumulation of acetaldehyde makes the capillaries dilate, and leads to a flushed look. It can hardly be considered a sign of good health.
Can I drink a large amount of tea or water to lower the level of alcohol in blood or breath?
Drinking copious amounts of tea or water cannot lower the alcohol level in blood within a short period of time. Alcohol takes time to leave your body, and the absorption and breaking down of alcohol varies from person to person. There is no quick way of sobering up, and drinking coffee or taking a cold shower will not help.Is it safe to drink "alcopops"?
"Alcopops" are sweet-tasting, pre-mixed alcohol-based drinks which contain juice, other flavors or caffeine. They usually contain similar amounts of alcohol as beer. Not only does the colorful outlook make the drink appear less threatening, the fruity flavor also masks the bitter taste of alcohol, leading to heavier consumption. Source:
Department of Health, the Government of the Hong Kong S.A.R. https://www.change4health.gov.hk/en/faqs/alcohol/health.html
If you would like to read more health tips, please visit the website of Office of Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs https://hseo.um.edu.mo/health-tips/
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