Alcohol has been consumed in cultures from the beginning of time. There is much discussion over its benefits and drawbacks and whether alcohol usage should be controlled. The consensus is that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. Agarwal S. (2020) mentions that although moderate drinking protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones, excessive drinking is a leading cause of premature mortality in most nations. Alcohol has an impact on not only the drinkers but also their families. But, as globalisation spread, so did the acceptance of alcohol use, which has resulted in dire consequences. There is an urgent need to minimise both legal and illegal alcohol demand. Similar to India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985, which provides the existing framework for drug misuse regulation and sale in the nation, equivalent laws for the distribution and use of alcohol are required.
Heavy drinking can harm your brain, heart, liver, stomach, and neurological system. Excessive drinking can contribute to the development of throat, mouth, larynx, and oesophagal cancer. Women who drink heavily are more likely to get breast cancer and osteoporosis. Those who drink heavily are generally poor eaters, resulting in vitamin and mineral deficits in their bodies. Emanuele N. V. et al. (1998) opines that heavy drinking, particularly in Diabetic patients, can cause the accumulation of certain acids in the blood that may result in severe health consequences. Alcohol consumption can worsen medical complications such as nerve damage, disturbances in fat metabolism, and eye disease.
Although there are many risks to drinking alcohol, there are some benefits to drinking in moderation. Consuming alcohol in controlled quantity can be good for you. In most cases, it is not the alcohol but the quantity in which alcohol is consumed that affects a person. It can help to avert and improve many health conditions and ailments. Moderate drinking lowers the risk of stroke, heart disease, and circulatory diseases. A small amount of alcohol boosts HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), also known as good cholesterol, and keeps your heart hale and hearty. People who consume alcohol in moderation are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Research indicates that the antioxidants present in wine act as a catalyst in improving libido. Consuming one to two glasses of alcohol every day also decreases the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes – a game-changing discovery! Studies conducted by Oregon State University suggest that certain varieties of red wine (Red Muscadine Wine) play a pivotal role in weight reduction. (Dr Arun R. 2023).
Mares. S.H.W. et al. ( 2012) emphasise the necessity of alcohol consumption guidelines throughout adolescence in preventing young people from drinking excessively. Even when parents relax their alcohol-related regulations, teenage alcohol consumption rises. As a result, parents should be confident in their parenting abilities and remain firm to prevent their young children from drinking.
Hartney. E. (2022) commented that various techniques are effective for different persons and addictions kinds. While some people can quit and never drink alcohol again for the rest of their life. For some people, drinking in moderation might help them overcome addictive behaviours. They can consume safer levels of alcohol without having to quit completely. ipubpro.com
References
1) Agarwal S. (2020). Alcohol Usage Should Be Controlled Or Not. International Journal of Research (IJR). Available at https://internationaljournalofresearch.com/2020/06/28/alcohol-usage-should-be-controlled-or-not/. Accessed on 16th March 2023.
2) Emanuele N. V. (1998). Alcohol Health and Research world. National Library of Medicine. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761899/. Accessed on 16th March 2023.
3) Dr Arun R. (2023) Alcohol in Controlled Quantity – Can It Be Good For You? Lybra+e. Available at https://www.lybrate.com/topic/alcohol-in-controlled-quantity-can-it-be-good-for-you/ab239d6433c30fb703f13989225974c2#:~:text=Limited%20consumption%20of%20alcohol%20can,medical%20conditions%20and%20health%20ailments. Accessed on 16 th March 2023.
4) Mares. S.H.W. et al. ( 2012). The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Available at https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02533.x. Accessed on 16th March 2023.
5) Hartney. E. (2022). How to control Your Alcohol Intake. verywellmind. Available at https://www.verywellmind.com/can-i-control-my-alcohol-consumption-22394. Accessed on 16th March 2023.