Enjoy your glass and stay healthy by eating well and exercising regularly!
飲酒自古以來和我們的生活與文化密不可分，然而近幾年，越來越多科學研究顯示酒精對健康負面的影響，許多科學家也表達酒精對癌症發展的憂慮，世界衛生組織於2023年甚至在官方網站表示：對身體健康而言，沒有所謂安全的飲酒量。現代人身處高科技、快節奏的忙碌生活，我們是否還能開心舉杯邀明月、把酒話桑麻？
仔細評估最新的科學研究與報導，酒精主要成分為乙醇，這個小分子化學物質在人體代謝過程確實會增加身體的負擔，正如工作壓力、抽煙與不健康的飲食等。然而，科學家和醫師也表示，這一類酒精與健康的研究有很高的困難度，主要是因為影響研究結果的因素太多，通常需要長期、大量的取樣數據，才有一定程度的參考價值，並且大數據分析與統計的方法也會產生誤差，目前這還是很活躍的研究領域，結論會隨著研究發展持續更新。因此日常生活中享用美酒的同時，要注意根據自己的身心狀況，適量飲用，並維持規律運動與均衡飲食，讓我們繼續關注科學新知！
Eastern and western cultures have long traditions to lift glass and wish someone good health. However, the World Health Organization has highlighted: no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health since 2023. In recent years, more and more researches link alcohol to cancer. Is it still feasible to express good wishes for health and happiness by drinking alcohol? How does alcohol cause the damage? Are there any health benefits for low to moderate drinking? What can we do to stay healthy while drinking alcohol? These questions are addressed from scientific viewpoints based on recent research.
1. How does alcohol cause the damage?
Scientific studies show that alcohol are highly associated with high blood pressure, liver disease, various types of cancer. Alcohol is known to increase blood pressure, but the mechanisms are not well established. Alcohol, also known as ethanol or C2H5OH, is a very small molecule that can easily travel to brain and affect central nervous system. A series of stimulations and regulatory mechanisms eventually lead to hypertension. On the other hand, alcohol is mainly metabolised in liver. Therefore, alcohol consumption inevitably increases the burden of liver. Heavy drinking means liver is often overloaded, contributing to liver disease. In addition, alcohol can cause cancer via the following four major mechanisms:
- Alcohol is decomposed into acetaldehyde primarily in liver. Acetaldehyde can bind to DNA and cause the damage. Thus, chronic alcohol drinking is highly associated with development of cancers.
- Alcohol can generate reactive oxygen species that can damage not only DNA but also proteins and lipids.
- Alcohol is known to change levels of various hormones such as estrogen, increasing risk of breast cancer.
- Many carcinogens (e.g., tobacco) can dissolve in alcohol and are taken up easier by the body.
2. Are there any health benefits for low to moderate drinking?
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality overall. However, most recent studies show that the association is controversial and is highly dependent upon factors such as statistical methods, data sources, and genetic variation. Nevertheless, alcohol has long been social lubricants to ease tension and encourage interaction in various social events. Many historical masterpieces might not be completed without influence of alcohol.
3. What can we do to stay healthy while drinking alcohol?
Evaluating positive and negative effects of alcohol intake remains in active study. Public health policies and safety guidelines of drinking are subject to change according to the updated research with reduced biases and improved statistical models. Since the main negative effects of alcohol arise from the increasing burden of body due to metabolites, we can stay healthy by keeping balanced diets, regular exercises, sound sleep, and avoiding excessive drinking and smoking. Be sure to keep ourselves posted on the latest scientific development. At the moment, santé!
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