While the month of January often rhymes with resolutions and questioning, the health magazine 36.9° looked at a major public health subject: 85% of Swiss people consume alcoholic beverages regularly, a figure which prompts questions. on the effects of this substance, even when consumed in moderation.
Long considered potentially beneficial for health in small doses, alcohol is today recognized as toxic from the first sip. “In the 21st century, we know that all this is a myth,” says Dr. Thierry Favrod-Coune, of the Dependency Unit at HUG. It sweeps away old beliefs which attributed protection against cardiovascular diseases to moderate consumption of red wine.
“We would like to be able to say that a drink, a legal drug basically, that many people enjoy, is also good for your health, but that is not the case,” he adds.
A life-size experience
To decipher the effects of alcohol, 36.9° set up a concrete experiment: six French-speaking Swiss volunteers were invited to an aperitif. Subjected to various tests before and after consumption, they made it possible to observe in real time the impact of alcohol on their cognitive and motor abilities. The protocol provided for controlled consumption: no more than four drinks for women, maximum five drinks for men, with the possibility of stopping at any time.
Women and the elderly will be more vulnerable
From glass to lips to elimination, the journey of alcohol through the body is complex. Absorbed by the oral and esophageal mucous membranes, it diffuses rapidly into the blood and reaches all organs, notably the brain, lungs and liver. But most of it, 90% of the alcohol absorbed, is transported to the liver, where it is transformed and broken down by two enzymes.
The peak blood alcohol level, that is to say the maximum concentration of alcohol in the blood, is reached in less than an hour, influenced by factors such as fatigue, speed of ingestion or the content of the drink. ‘stomach.
Variable and insidious effects
The experiment revealed significant differences in how alcohol is metabolized. “It varies depending on the individual, particularly for people who come from Asia who may be less able to break down alcohol. There can also be a difference between individuals simply because of families, but also because of gender. “Women and the elderly will be more vulnerable”, specifies Dr Thierry Favrod-Coune.
Alcohol has many simultaneous effects. It is a calming agent, it acts as a depressant of the central nervous system, which brings a feeling of relaxation, reduction of stress and anxiety. It also has a disruptive effect by affecting the cerebellum, responsible for motor coordination, and the hippocampus, seat of memory. Even at low doses, it can impact memory, coordination and reflexes.
-It is also a stimulant, it increases the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure. Which creates a feeling of well-being and happiness. A pleasant feeling that pushes you to start again. Regular consumption can therefore lead to dependence. An ever-higher dose is required to achieve the same pleasant effect.
The hardest part was also facing others who say to you: “but why are you stopping drinking, you’re not an alcoholic, you don’t have a problem”
The risk is addiction. “All these addictive substances: opiates, heroin or nicotine, but also alcohol, increase this dopamine, it reinforces behavior and it leaves a trace in the memory which can then trigger “craving”, this desire irresistible to start drinking again”, explains Professor Christian Lüscher, from the Department of Fundamental Neurosciences at UNIGE.
Elio’s testimony: a month without alcohol
Elio, the youngest volunteer, continued the experiment by committing not to drink alcohol for a month. His testimony highlights the benefits of such a break: increased energy, better sleep and an awareness of how much alcohol consumes energy. It also highlights the social pressure linked to alcohol, illustrating the difficulty of freeing oneself from consumption norms. “The hardest part was also having to face others who say to you: ‘ah, but why are you stopping drinking, you’re not an alcoholic, you don’t have a problem’.”
The experiment carried out with the volunteers and Elio’s testimony demonstrate the real impact of alcohol, even at doses considered moderate. “Alcohol, like other psychotropic substances, really often has a double face: the pleasure, the euphoria felt at the moment, will potentially quite quickly be replaced by a form of fatigue or even blues or sadness” , concludes Dr Thierry Favrod-Coune, inviting everyone to question their own consumption and to become aware of the benefits of a break from alcohol consumption, even temporary, for physical and mental health.
TV report: Laurence Froidevaux, Vanessa Goetelen
Web adaptation: Gaëlle Bisson
Related News :