Something to consider before your big night out

It is estimated that people have been drinking alcohol for over 10,000 years. It is so deeply ingrained in our culture that it seems almost impossible to imagine life without it's presence. The 18th birthday is a huge landmark birthday, not because you can vote, or get married or anything like that, but because you are finally allowed to join the rest of the world and get drunk.

Alcohol is a drug, there's no two ways about it, and it doesn't get nearly as bad a reputation as it deserves. Smoking is seen as a horrible habit by most, and the use of more benign illegal drugs like marijuana is met with derision and harsh judgement. Alcohol is addictive and damaging. But contrary to everything alcohol in regular and moderate doses has been linked to reduced incidence of heart disease, TRUE

so therefore is good for you: RUBBISH.



Here is a list of the effects (good and bad) on your body when you consume alcohol.

Nutrient Uptake
When you ingest alcohol your body uses it as the primary fuel source. This means that any food which is ingested at the same time will be stored straight as fat.

Body Composition
Ethanol, which is the chemical in your beer which makes you feel drunk, contains 7 calories per gram. That is almost as much as a gram of fat. Every one of those calories comes with zero nutritional value, which means zero bang for your buck. So when you're consuming a couple of pints, just from the alcohol there are almost 400 calories. That doesn't even include the sugar.

This won't help body composition. That was an obvious one but we have to start from somewhere.

Digestion
Chronic alcohol consumption reduces the quantity of proteins secreted from your pancreas. This is bad news on two fronts as a lack of these proteins will result reduced insulin sensitivity and poor digestion, making it incredibly difficult to be healthy.

Sex Hormones
Alcohol is a powerful mediator of both sex hormones. It increases circulating levels of oestrogen and reduces testosterone by increasing the effectiveness of the aromatase enzyme. This enzyme acts to convert oestrogens to testosterone naturally in the body. Accelerated aromatisation can result endocrine disorders, including infertility, gonadal atrophy, and feminization in men and women.

Not what you want really.

Heart Disease
Those who drink a moderate amount of alcohol (not just red wine) have been shown to be those with the lowest risk of heart disease. The reasons offered for this are varied. Some say that it is because people who abstain from alcohol entirely are likely to be ex heavy drinkers. It could be that those who have a moderate intake of alcohol are more likely to be moderate in everyday life. Other research suggests that people who drink moderately have improved lipid profiles, meaning less dangerous fat in the blood.



The simple fact is that for anyone serious about getting in shape there is no reason to use alcohol. In my opinion there is no reason for anyone to use the substance. If this sounds like a problem then it's time to reassess your values in life.

In one year's time what would you be happier with? A greatly improved body and health with a clear memory of good times, or a body and health that's not what it could have been and a years' worth of hazy memories?