According to Medical News Today, this potentially fatal condition is a result of “overconsuming alcohol that damages the liver, leading to a buildup of fats, inflammation, and scarring.” Beer-drinkers are more at risk to develop this disease than are wine-drinkers, the publication reported. WebMD revealed, “Light-moderate drinking (defined as up to two drinks a day for men, one for women) has shown a subtle drop in blood pressure in some cases. In small amounts, it has been shown to lower blood pressure by 2 to 4 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) in women.” “If one or two drinks is your baseline, but you drink more when you’ve had a rough day or week, that’s something that could become a significant problem when life changes lead to stress,” Paul Lavella Jr., a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, told the publication.
“So even if they have high blood pressure, they could see the health benefit from something like a glass of red wine a day.” Or, you know, a can of beer. As Express detailed, heavy alcohol consumption could cause men to experience an increase in estrogen and progesterone and could lead them to experience symptoms like an increase in breast tissue, erectile disfunction, and a decrease in sperm count. “If you tailor medical recommendations to an individual person, there may be situations under which you would think that occasional drinking potentially could be helpful,” Hertz revealed. Giovanni de Gaetano, director of the department of epidemiology and prevention at IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, added, “For most older persons, the overall benefits of light drinking, especially the reduced cardiovascular disease risk, clearly outweigh possible cancer risk.”
Moreover, repeated binge drinking, defined as consuming multiple drinks in a short timeframe, has been correlated with an increased likelihood of developing prehypertension, a precursor to full-blown hypertension. A critical point highlighted by research is that consuming over 20 grams of ethanol per day, which equals about one to two drinks, can increase the risk of developing hypertension. Research indicates that consistently high levels of alcohol consumption are directly linked to the development of serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. A standard drink, as defined by health guidelines, can still pose significant risks if consumption becomes frequent and excessive. Surveys indicate a considerable percentage of employees feel compelled to drink when coworkers or superiors do, linking alcohol consumption with improved work relationships (CNBC). Overall, industries are experiencing a cultural recalibration, where the focus is shifting towards sustainable drinking practices and valuing social connection and employee well-being over traditional alcohol-fueled networking events.
Nevertheless, it is wise to pay attention to your consumption habits. Koob further revealed to the publication that you could also become dependent on something an innocuous as eating dinner at the same time every night. According to a 2018 study (via Discover), alcohol is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. “Have a beer, doctor’s orders,” she joked in an interview with her local news station.
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Many people drink alcohol when celebrating, socializing, or trying to relax. Chronic alcohol consumption can damage the liver, heart, and other organs. Research suggests that moderate beer consumption could have some positive effects on cardiovascular health and blood pressure. In these moments, reaching for a beer may feel like a reward, a simple way to signal that the workday has ended and it’s time for relaxation. Contact us to learn more about alcohol addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs in recovery. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be deadly, so heavy alcohol users should not attempt to wean off alcohol without the help of a professional medical detox facility.
How many beers do you have when you get off work?
While most beers contain these polyphenols from malt and hops, the study that looked at beer and polyphenols only focused on non-alcoholic beer. Even better, though, is to have beer with food or another non-alcoholic beverage, says Wynne. The review also says that adding sodium to non-alcoholic beer can improve its rehydration properties.
You could lower your risk for diabetes if you drink beer every night
If alcohol has affected your judgment enough to make you think twice, that’s your cue to hand over the keys. Also, be aware of “buzzed driving.” Many people assume that as long as they’re not “drunk,” they’re safe. Or you live just a few blocks away and think the risk is minimal. Maybe you didn’t want to leave your car at the bar because it’s parked in a tow zone. Suddenly, your “harmless” drink is evidence in a criminal case. Many people feel deep guilt, especially if their decision to drive could have endangered others.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) also states that “alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancer types including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast.” But there’s a little more to the story.
- It’s important to remember that alcohol is a drug.
- For some, sharing a beer with coworkers or loved ones enhances the experience, making it feel more communal and enjoyable.
This Catch-22 situation illustrates the complex interplay between workplace culture and individual choices regarding alcohol consumption (source). Furthermore, workplace drinking culture can vary significantly across industries, yet the consequences often bear similar traits, including reduced productivity, compromised safety, and strained professional dynamics. Research indicates a strong correlation between higher levels of alcohol consumption and higher levels of impaired work performance. Regular after-work drinking has been identified to have a significant negative impact on both work performance and professional relationships. This systemic approach underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address the intertwined issues of alcohol use and mental health disorders.
Is Beer Actually a Good Post-Workout Drink?
That means it puts you at a higher risk for developing health problems. For example, some kinds of beer, like microbrews, have more than 5% alcohol. Different types or brands of beer, wine, and spirits can contain varying amounts of alcohol. In the United States, one “standard” drink has about 14 grams of pure alcohol. You can’t tell how much alcohol is in your drink by the amount of liquid in your glass or bottle. A beer or glass of wine after a hard day’s work.
Physical Health Risks of Regular After-Work Drinking
According to John Hopkins Medicine, light beer can be a better choice than regular beer because it contains “less alcohol and fewer calories.” However, if you currently have type 2 diabetes, you’ll want to exercise more than the usual amount of caution when drinking — especially when it comes to what you’re drinking. “You can become dependent on almost any substance if it’s part of your daily rhythm, but that doesn’t mean you’re addicted.” As such, dependence isn’t unique to beer or even alcohol.
Drinking too much beer every night means you’re more likely to develop this disease
Overconsumption of these calories — which, again, have no nutritional value — has been one of the obesity epidemic’s main drivers. So if you get all your micronutrient needs from your food but at the end of the day you still have a few spare calories left for the day, you can indulge in a Guinness. Calories from alcohol are thought to be so-called “empty” calories, or calories that provide no nutritional value. So calories will vary by drink-to-drink, from the 100-calorie White Claw to the 780-calorie Long Island Iced Tea. Think about alcohol as a sugar-laden pastry — you should limit how much you have.
It’s essential to acknowledge that reducing or quitting alcohol can significantly improve both physical and mental health, and professional help can offer the necessary guidance and support for this journey. However, it is important to note that while moderate drinking may work for some, abstinence remains one of the most effective methods for those with alcohol use disorders. Establishing boundaries with alcohol, especially in a culture that often encourages after-work drinks, is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing dependence. A variety of treatment professionals are available, including primary care providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and alcohol counselors.
The practice also provides a venue for employees to bond outside the confines of the office and is seen as a way to build social capital with one’s superiors and colleagues. Declining an invitation to a nomikai may be seen as a faux pas, as it is an integral aspect of social etiquette in Japanese business culture. These gatherings serve as a platform for building trust, rapport and ‘nomunication’ — a term combining ‘nomu’ (to drink) and communication. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. This innovation in the Middle East and other regions led to the natural fermentation of grains and the creation of beer.
As it turns out, though, a study later confirmed that both light and moderate drinking does indeed decrease the risk of mortality in both sexes — but especially so in women, as reported by The Telegraph. “While alcohol causes seven types of cancer, the risk of most of these cancers does not increase significantly until an individual starts drinking heavily,” Theresa Hydes, a researcher at the United Kingdom’s University Hospital Southampton, told Discover magazine. “These findings suggest that drinking alcohol in moderation does not contribute to an increased risk of heart failure and may even be protective,” said Scott Solomon, the study’s lead author, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and senior physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in a public release. “No level of alcohol consumption improves health.”
Peer pressure and societal expectations are pivotal in shaping drinking behaviors. These cultures can exist on both macro and micro levels, influencing national drinking behaviors as well as subgroup dynamics within a community. The earliest evidence of alcohol production dates back to Neolithic times, with discoveries such as fermented beverages in pottery vessels from Jiahu, China. “You would have to drink a ton of alcohol to even meet the amount of carbohydrates needed for exercise,” says Wynne. Based on the research, a low ABV beer—one less than 4 percent—can be effective as a post-workout hydrator. A systematic review on beer consumption related to endurance sports was published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism this July.
- While those researchers gave athletes 12 drinks post-workout (talk about a rager), other studies have also found even moderate alcohol consumption impaired skeletal muscle recovery and glycogen resynthesis.
- Suddenly, your “harmless” drink is evidence in a criminal case.
- There are various types of professional help available, from residential treatment programs with multidisciplinary teams to behavioral treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Alcohol is a poor post-workout beverage choice because it interferes with your body at a time it’s in overdrive trying to repair everything you broke down in the gym.
- That’s why the line between social drinking and a criminal act isn’t always clear until it’s too late.
- One of the most immediate effects of drinking beer is the relaxation it induces.
In the workplace, drinking has often been seen as a means of fostering camaraderie, boosting morale and relieving stress. In Western societies, the institutionalization of regular alcohol consumption has been observed in various stages of life. From its origins in religious ceremonies and economic transactions to what does a crack cocaine high feel like ark behavioral health its role in modern workplace culture, alcohol consumption has been a significant part of human societies. The tradition of after-work drinking is a multifaceted social phenomenon with deep historical roots. “If alcohol-free beer encourages people to rehydrate after a workout, then that’s a good thing,” says Schoenfeld.