Does the length of life have a lot to do with drinking? A survey of 11,558 drinkers finally led to an answer
Uncle Chen, 72 years old this year, has liked to drink since he was young, this drink is more than 40 years, sometimes he can drink half a catty to a catty of liquor a day.
When he was in his fifties, Uncle Chen was diagnosed with fatty liver, and then he began to slowly quit drinking, drinking as little as he could.
A month ago, the family held a happy event, the grandson got married, relatives and friends came to say goodbye, Uncle Chen saw this lively scene, and he couldn't help it, and regardless of the persuasion of his family, he began to drink again.
As soon as the wedding banquet ended, Uncle Chen regretted it, how can he fix his fatty liver? So I made up my mind to quit drinking again.
As a result, within three days of quitting, Uncle Chen began to tremble, panic, shout at night, and sweat wildly.
Along the way, Uncle Chen's son began to mumble in his heart: Dad's situation, shouldn't he quit drinking to make trouble?
Is it really like those old sayings that the elderly drink alcohol for a long time, and suddenly quitting drinking alcohol will be detrimental to the body?
01
Drinking some liquor for a long time not only prolongs life, but also prevents cancer?
A 2017 study found that baijiu contains lipopeptide compounds such as lichenin, which have shown antibacterial, antitumor, anticoagulant, and cholesterol-lowering effects.
These findings seem to support the idea of baijiu as a healthy beverage.
However, experts point out that although baijiu contains some ingredients that are beneficial to health, this does not mean that it can prevent cancer.
In fact, alcohol has been classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization since 1988.
Research published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in The Lancet ·Oncology shows that in 2020, about 740,000 new cancer cases were related to alcohol consumption worldwide, with about 280,000 in mainland China.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and many other cancers.
In the study involving 11,558 participants, it was found that in people over 40 years of age, the more alcohol consumed, the more significant the decrease in longevity protein levels in the body, even in moderation.
In addition, a global study covering more than 28 million people, published in The Lancet, clearly states that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink, and that not drinking alcohol at all is the safest option.
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Don't be fooled by these few rumors about the health benefits of drinking
Myth 1: Drinking a little wine is good for the cardiovascular system
While many believe that drinking red wine containing resveratrol in moderation may have cardiovascular benefits, research suggests that this is a misconception.
Several scientific studies have shown that alcohol consumption is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease.
Even small amounts of alcohol may significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.
Myth 2: Drinking liquor can cure colds
Some people think that drinking alcohol can ward off the cold and relieve cold symptoms, but this practice is not only detrimental to recovery, but may worsen symptoms.
Alcohol dilates mucosal blood vessels, increases respiratory secretions, and may interact adversely with cold medications, damaging liver and kidney health.
Myth 3: Drinking some medicinal wine can be healthy
Although medicinal liquor is regarded as a good health product among the people, the alcohol contained in it can also cause damage to the liver if consumed in excess of it for a long time.
Although herbs can be used for both medicine and food, excessive consumption may also pose health risks.
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Is it harmful for the elderly to suddenly quit drinking? Here are 4 suggestions
Older people who have been drinking alcohol for a long time may experience a series of withdrawal symptoms, such as hand tremors, anxiety, insomnia, etc., if they suddenly quit alcohol completely, which is the so-called "alcohol withdrawal syndrome".
Withdrawal may be different for everyone, and symptoms may worsen over time, so here are 4 tips to help you quit alcohol safely:
1. Gradually reduce the amount of alcohol you drink
Instead of quitting alcohol all at once, you should gradually reduce the amount of alcohol you drink each day to give your body a gradual adaptation process.
2. Drug-assisted treatment
Medications can be used under the guidance of a doctor to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and avoid extreme physical and mental discomfort.
3. Do a good job of nutritional support
Drinkers often suffer from malnutrition, and should be nutritionally fortified, balanced and supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals during the abstinence period.
4. Seek support from relatives and friends
The support of family and friends is crucial during the abstinence process, and their understanding and help can greatly increase the likelihood of success in abstinence.
Health is priceless, and it's never too late to start paying attention to your health, and for those who are still addicted to alcohol, it's time to put down your glass and get back healthy.
For the sake of ourselves and our families, let's take the first step towards a healthier and better future together.