Because UNC’s spring break is a mere two days away, this post will be dedicated to alcohol – the good, the bad and the drunkenness that stems from it.
The good
Is beer the new Gatorade? One research study published in November said that a group of 25 college students exercised in 104-degree temperatures, split into two groups, and one of the groups drank water while the other drank beer. The health risks of exercising in 104-degree temperature (heat stroke, dehydration, etc.) aside, the researchers found that the hydration effect of beer was slightly better than the hydration effect of water. Not that you all should fill your Nalgene up with Miller High Life before going to the SRC, but maybe beer does not dehydrate people as much as believed.
The health benefits of wine have been hyped in the news – specifically the health benefits of red wine. But, as the saying goes, “A little goes a long way.” The recommended amount of wine is two glasses for men and one glass for women. And “glass” is not subjective – it is defined as five ounces of wine. By combining moderation and a nice Merlot, you are increasing your good cholesterol, thinning your blood, activating antioxidants to prevent cellular damage and possibly preventing blood clotting. Cheers.
The bad
There’s more to excessive drinking than the hangover, the vomit, the beer belly and the morning after mistakes.
For all you winos:
The same study cheering the benefits of wine also highlighted the downside of imbibing too much:
- High triglycerides – leads to diabetes
- Breast cancer risk – for women
- Migraines
- Weight gain -it still has calories, even though it’s a liquid
Also, study results revealed in a Reuters article says that even moderate amounts of drinking can lead to high blood pressure. And high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. The results of this study go against all studies promoting the benefits of moderate drinking.
The drunk
Earlier this week, the New York Times published an article about binge drinking explaining the cultural and mental reasons that people might resort to binge drinking. Some researchers believe that binge drinking is a combination of personal preferences and cultural expression. There are some cultures that use binge drinking as a way to celebrate or to take a mental vacation. I’m sure the MTV culture fits in this category.
And the effects of binge drinking varied from studying different cultures. Whereas some cultures became more reserved after excessive drinking, others were more likely to sing or dance around.
It’s interesting to think that alcohol can affect people’s behaviors so radically, which is why researchers have conducted studies in which two groups of people were given drinks – one group received alcoholic drinks, and the other received nonalcoholic beverages. Regardless, both groups exhibited “drunk” behavior. Not only is that embarrassing for the non-drinking group, but it also creates an interesting conclusion: maybe when we drink, our actions reflect how we think drunk people should act. None of the cultures studied revealed cases of aggression or sexual assault. Just happy drunks.
Hope you all have a fun and safe spring break! If you are planning on drinking, be aware of your surroundings and drink lots of water beforehand. And stop drinking those vodka tonics as soon as they start tasting like water.
