Drinking alcohol in diabetes: what kind of drink can you drink? The effect of alcohol on blood sugar The concept of alcohol measure is relative for people with diabetes

Each person has the right to decide whether to drink alcohol or lead a healthy lifestyle. Of course, the effect of alcoholic beverages on the body is detrimental, so they will be harmful even to those who do not have chronic diseases. However, if a person has diabetes, then alcohol is contraindicated. Scientists have proven the effect on blood sugar, and now it’s worth figuring out exactly how the alcohol works.

About the effect of different drinks

A person must understand that alcoholic beverages can both increase sugar, and vice versa, lower it. That is, they can provoke hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Both conditions are characterized by the fact that ethanol has an effect on blood sugar levels, dramatically changing it. That is why it is extremely dangerous for people suffering from diabetes to drink alcohol.

Strong drinks with ethanol, such as vodka, cognac and whiskey, can significantly lower the glucose level. But wines, liqueurs and beer, on the contrary, lead to an increase. But it's not only dangerous. The point is what is happening. And in diabetics, there are already violations in the functioning of the central nervous system. Therefore, alcohol only impairs the functioning of the nervous system, and this can lead to various negative consequences.

It is believed that the more alcoholic beverages were consumed, the more the glucose level will drop.

And then, with a decrease in ethanol in the blood, sugar will rise. And such a condition is dangerous for diabetics, as it threatens with complications. If a person decides to take a blood test, then it is worthwhile to understand that alcohol drunk the day before can significantly distort it. At a minimum, you should abstain from alcohol two days prior to conducting clinical trials. Ethanol not only acts on sugar, but also affects the reagents that are used in the analysis. Therefore, a reliable result can not be expected.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia

The influence of alcohol on blood sugar has already been considered, and in particular it was said that it decreases. That is, there is a state of glypohycemia. This is a rather unpleasant and even dangerous condition. And its symptoms often disturb diabetics who love to drink.

Signs:

• Rapid heartbeat, possible arrhythmia.
• Increased sweating.
• Strong feeling of hunger.
• Tremor of the limbs.
• Feelings of unreasonable fear.
• Dizziness, semi-consciousness.
• Severe weakness and fatigue.
• Decreased vision.
• Migraine, as well as irritability.

All this suggests that sugar has plummeted. Of course, you can not continue to drink alcohol, so as not to worsen your condition. In general, alcohol is generally contraindicated for diabetics, and even in small quantities it will be harmful. Therefore, it is worth it so that it does not destroy a person. This is a good help means from the Internet, which eliminate cravings for alcohol. In especially severe cases, you should consult a doctor who will help get rid of cravings for alcohol.

How to help?

Given that the effect of alcohol on a diabetic patient is quite strong and negative, a person’s well-being can deteriorate greatly. Of course, the level of glucose must be constantly monitored, as well as the health of the patient. If it happens that a person drinks alcohol and severe intoxication of the body occurs, it will be necessary to immediately call a doctor.

It is forbidden to do anything on your own, as you can worsen the well-being of a diabetic.

Only a qualified doctor can remove alcohol from the blood, and at the same time he will need to control the level of glucose. Next to the bed should be kept drugs that increase sugar. The patient should not be left alone, as the condition may worsen.

Of course, drinking alcohol in this case is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, you can not wait for recovery. On the contrary, the situation can be significantly aggravated, and the negative effect will spread to all organs - the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system, the liver and kidneys, and the central nervous system. Therefore, you should consider whether alcohol is worth your life.

If, nevertheless, a person could not resist and decided to drink a little, then he needs to follow these rules:

• Be sure to eat before and after drinking.
• Do not drink more than 75 ml of strong drinks per day. Wine is allowed up to 300 ml, the same goes for beer.
• It is advisable to drink juices and other liquids with glucose.
• Do not eat fatty and salty foods during this period.
• Drinking on an empty stomach is strictly prohibited.
• If the patient is taking medication, then it is definitely impossible to drink even in small quantities.
• Constantly monitor glucose levels.

But, of course, it would be best to give up alcohol. This is the only way to keep your health. Otherwise, the negative effect of alcohol will spread to other organs, and this can even lead to premature death.

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Diabetes mellitus is a violation of the exchange of water and carbohydrates in the human body. As a result, the function of the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of insulin, is disrupted. It is needed to process sugar and turn it into glucose. This disease can cause irreversible damage to human health, so there is a need for a healthy lifestyle to avoid life or death issues. And yet: is it possible to drink alcohol with diabetes?

Alcohol acts on the human body as a source of energy and does not increase blood sugar. However, for people with diabetes, recommended to minimize alcohol intake, especially with insulin-dependent form.

Alcohol is also dangerous because it can affect the functions for which the liver is responsible. Alcohol in any dose interferes with the production of glucose. Therefore, you should think about the consequences that may occur a few hours after drinking alcohol. Inevitably, the onset of an attack of hypoglycemia, which most often comes in a dream. Symptoms that are very similar to alcohol intoxication. Therefore, it is possible to confuse the state of a person and not provide the necessary assistance in the event of an attack, which will lead to death.

Can you drink alcohol with diabetes

Drinking is definitely very bad. It is especially not recommended to do this on an empty stomach. There are many types of alcohol. It can affect the body of diabetics in different ways.

In life, it happens like this: first one or two glasses are drunk, after which absolutely nothing happens. It seems like nothing can happen. Further increase the dose or mix different types alcohol. But at some point, there are still consequences. If you constantly drink alcohol, it will greatly increase the possibility of becoming obese. This can happen because alcohol contains a lot of calories and in a drunken state a person cannot control himself, and begins to eat everything in huge quantities.

Alcohol in diabetes and its effects

1. Beer. Some believe that beer can not cause any danger to the body, but they are deeply mistaken. This is due to the fact that the use of brewer's yeast helps to restore a healthy metabolism and improve liver activity. But this effect can be achieved with yeast, not beer. One glass of beer contains carbohydrates in the amount of 10-14 grams. Some varieties can reach 20 grams. In order for an adult to reach a state where he can completely relax and feel that alcohol has worked, it will take not one glass, but at least several. It is worth calculating how many carbohydrates the body will receive from the drink, and it will immediately become clear that for people with diabetes, beer is one of the most harmful drinks.
2. Wine. Dry wines and champagnes contain fewer carbohydrates than sweet and fortified varieties. 400 ml contains only 3-4 grams of carbohydrates. Therefore, wine, unlike beer, is much more harmless. But we must remember that the more sugar it contains, the more harmful it is. 400 ml can contain up to 20 carbohydrates.
3. Fortified spirits. Vodka, whiskey, cognac, rum and other strong drinks contain almost no carbohydrates. However, in a beater or hard liquor, they can reach 30 grams per 200 ml, so be careful and take in small amounts or not at all.

Is it possible to drink vodka with diabetes

Vodka contains a minimum amount of sugar. Therefore, its use in diabetes in a small amount is acceptable. When vodka enters the body increases insulin activity and slows production from the liver of glucagon. This results in a decrease in blood sugar. Bathrobe producers can add flavoring, coloring or even pure sugar to the finished vodka. In such cases, vodka for diabetes can lead to elevated glucose levels.

What rules should diabetics follow before taking vodka:

A dangerous combination of diabetes and alcohol

1. With chronic pancreatitis.
2. With chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.
3. With diabetic neuropathy.
4. With gout.
5. With progressive diabetic nephropathy.
6. In violation of lipid metabolism.
7. With a tendency to hypoglycemic state.

Healthy drinks for diabetics

What drinks can you drink with diabetes? Many doctors prescribe people with diabetes at different stages to drink mineral water. It contains many useful substances. Regular intake recommended for affected digestive organs and to normalize the work of the pancreas.

Mineral water is of three types:

1. Canteen. It is used in any quantities, it can even be used for cooking.
2. Medical-dining room. Used according to the doctor's instructions.
3. Therapeutic mineral. It is also used according to the doctor's instructions.

It is important to remember that with diabetes, only non-carbonated mineral water is allowed. Some juices can have a beneficial effect on the body of a person with diabetes. But be sure to monitor the amount of carbohydrates and calories. The most important point is that the juice must be freshly squeezed.

Tomato juice helps to normalize the metabolism of a diabetic. While lemon, helps strengthen blood vessels and cleanse them of toxins. Blueberry helps to reduce sugar levels, so it is recommended by all doctors.

Drinking coffee is also allowed, but very carefully and it is advisable to consult a doctor about this.

Attention, only TODAY!

Alcohol in diabetes

Alcohol in diabetes disturbs the balance of blood sugar concentration, and also makes it difficult to control the disease. Drinking alcohol by a diabetic carries the risk of severe hypoglycemia and also affects medications and insulin in various ways. Patients with diabetes should refrain from drinking alcohol, but it is not necessary to completely refuse. What is worth knowing before drinking high-grade drinks?

There are a few important things to keep in mind. It is important that a diabetic take care of the normalization of blood glucose levels. This will reduce the risk of hypoglycemia while drinking alcohol. It's important to protect yourself from it. Therefore, you should never drink on an empty stomach, but only during meals or after a snack.

It should also be remembered that the combination of alcohol with physical activity increases the risk of hypoglycemia, because. exercise helps lower sugar levels. Alcohol is regarded as a poison by the body, so the liver immediately takes action to get rid of it. Severe hypoglycemia cannot be prevented by drinking alcohol, so blood sugar levels should be monitored frequently and carbohydrates replenished if necessary.

Alcohol causes serious harm to the body of a healthy person, but what does it do to those who are already sick? Portal Brositpitlegko.ru offers to talk about diabetes and alcohol. Many patients, having heard about such a diagnosis for the first time, do not attach importance to it.

And, moreover, not everyone tries other recommendations of the endocrinologist. And few people think about the dangerous combination of "diabetes and alcohol", because they do not see a connection between them. However, it is.

What is diabetes mellitus?

This is a chronic disease associated with a violation of the metabolism of carbohydrates (and, as you know, alcohol also contains them). The disease is usually divided into two types. The first is associated with insulin deficiency, and the second is due to the loss of sensitivity of body cells to this hormone.

In both types of diabetes, people must strictly follow a diet and be careful about alcohol. If medical recommendations on lifestyle, nutrition are not followed, the disease can cause complications from the organs of vision, kidneys, cardiovascular system, liver, etc.

Is it possible to drink vodka with diabetes?

Once in the body of a diabetic, alcohol acts in two ways: it increases the activity of insulin and blocks the production of glucose in the liver tissues. In addition, alcohol destroys cell membranes, and sugar immediately enters the cells, which in diabetes leads to a sharp drop in blood glucose levels. In this case, a person develops acute hunger.

Having taken 20-25 ml of vodka, a person starts the process of hypoglycemia. The more you drink, the worse the consequences will be. In addition to hunger, the patient suffers from headache, sweating, dizziness, trembling, irritability, blurred vision, palpitations.

When interacting with alcohol, insulin preparations and other medicines lose their effectiveness. The answer to the question "Is it possible to drink vodka with diabetes?" seems obvious. However, here is a list of problems that a diabetic has when taking alcohol:

• an increase in the concentration of triglycerides in the blood (this threatens with obesity, heart problems, etc.);
• increased blood pressure (increases the likelihood of ischemia, heart attack, stroke, kidney problems);
• confusion, dizziness, slurred speech;
• nausea, vomiting;
• cardiopalmus;
• redness of the skin.

Contraindications to alcohol

There are conditions in which the use of alcohol by a diabetic is strictly contraindicated:

To drink or not to drink

Those whom even illness does not stop from drinking alcohol are forced to carefully monitor the state of the body. Since diabetes has not become a reason for refusing alcohol, such patients should always have a device on hand (measures blood glucose levels) and use it several times a day. In particular, we are talking about days after drinking alcohol, because. at this time, the risk of getting delayed hypoglycemia increases, which is not so easy to manage.

Is it possible to drink vodka, beer, wine, cognac with diabetes? Alcoholic beverages by strength are divided into the following categories:

• over 40 degrees (cognac, vodka, whiskey, rum, gin). The permissible rate of their use is 50-75 ml;
• less than 40 degrees, for example, 10-12 degrees (wine, champagne, liquors, tinctures, beer). The allowable portion for a diabetic is 250-300 ml for wine and 300-500 ml for beer.

If you have diabetes and cannot give up alcohol, then you need to consider that low-alcohol drinks contain sugar. It is necessary to choose those in which there is no more than 3-5% sugar (about 30-50 g per 1 liter). It should be noted that we are talking about a rare, episodic intake of alcohol.

Safety rules for diabetics

For a diabetic who cannot abstain from alcohol, it is important to know the following rules:

• regular consumption of drinks containing alcohol is prohibited;
• patients with type 2 diabetes should not drink alcohol with a high concentration of sugar (sweet liquors, liqueurs, dessert wines, etc.);
• alcohol should not be used as a way to increase blood glucose levels;
• with a planned feast, patients with diabetes need to prepare in advance and recalculate the doses of medications taken, taking into account alcohol;
• You can not drink on an empty stomach, you need to take alcohol with food.

A diabetic drinker should always carry an identification card with a note indicating that he has diabetes. Since a person in a state of intoxication does not feel the onset of hypoglycemia, he can fall into a coma.

Attention!

But because of the smell of alcohol, others may not attach any importance to this, and a diabetic patient, without receiving medical care, runs the risk of developing serious cerebral disorders, up to dementia (dementia).

Undoubtedly, alcohol does not fit into the life of a person suffering from a violation of carbohydrate metabolism. If you want diabetes to not threaten you with serious ones, and want to stop drinking alcohol, pay attention to the A. Carr method.

This is an easy way to stop drinking alcohol once and for all. And you do not need to take pills or sew something under the skin. It is enough to read the book - and you understand that diabetes and alcohol are incompatible, and giving up this bad habit is quick and easy.

Source: http://brositpitlegko.ru/article/diabet-i-alkogol/

Alcohol and diabetes

There is a special specificity of the use of alcoholic beverages in diabetes mellitus. It consists, first of all, in the fact that drinking alcohol in diabetes can cause a sharp decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Especially if it is consumed on an empty stomach, with a small amount of food or improperly selected food.

The fact is that alcohol, on the one hand, enhances the action of insulin and glucose-lowering pills, and on the other hand, it inhibits the formation of glucose in the liver. Alcohol and diabetes, we understand what is the complexity here.

In addition to drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, the risk of developing severe hypoglycemic conditions increases the intake of alcohol after a long break between meals or immediately after exercise. The amount of ethanol that has entered the body is essential, and to a lesser extent, the type of alcoholic beverage.

About 30 minutes after drinking a significant dose of a strong alcoholic drink (a quarter liter of cognac, vodka, whiskey, gin) or a liter of dry grape wine in the blood, the glucose concentration rises, and after 3-5 hours it sharply decreases. This process is commonly referred to as delayed alcoholic hypoglycemia.

Alcohol is dangerous for anyone, but for a diabetic, even a slight loss of control over drinking can lead to death. It can be extremely dangerous to take alcohol against the background of evening alcohol, since in this case a severe form of hypoglycemia can develop, which really threatens the life of the patient, in addition, such a crisis state can form during sleep, which only intensifies intoxication.

When drinking alcohol, patients with diabetes mellitus should follow important rules:

• Drink only during or immediately after eating. It is important that the food certainly includes starch-containing foods not higher than the average glycemic index. Carbohydrates that are slowly digested, in addition to a smooth and longer rise in blood glucose levels, slightly slow down the rate of absorption of alcohol;
• It is important not to change or violate the prescribed food regimen, you can not replace food intake by drinking alcoholic beverages;
• If alcohol intake is planned, the dose of insulin should be significantly reduced, the same applies to the dosage of glucose-lowering tablets. You may even have to not take these drugs at all;
• Dosage taken strong alcoholic beverages 40 - 45% at a time during the day should not be exceeded 50 - 60 g, since the dose of a significant risk of hypoglycemia begins for them already 75-100 g;
• After drinking a large amount of strong alcoholic beverages, which is actually unacceptable for a diabetic patient (!), It is imperative to carry out additional monitoring of blood glucose levels, as well as a complete rejection of the evening dose of insulin or glucose-lowering pills. It is important to understand that the selection of the desired dose of insulin for the next day can also be difficult;
• When observing a hypoglycemic state in a patient, easily digestible carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, maltose), with the exception of fructose, should preferably be consumed in liquid form;
• The use of glucagon in case of alcohol-induced hypoglycemia is ineffective;
• Requires special clarification of the interaction of drugs when combined with alcohol exposure.

Contraindications

Alcohol is contraindicated in diabetes mellitus if it is combined with certain diseases and complications:

• Chronic pancreatitis. Systematic alcohol abuse is one of the most common factors for pancreatic damage with the formation and progression of chronic pancreatitis with metabolic disorders, in particular, the production of digestive enzymes, and then insulin. At the same time, specific diabetes mellitus of a secondary nature begins.
• Chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver, if this liver disease accompanies diabetes mellitus, such liver disease is caused by viruses, alcohol or other factors.
• Kidney damage - renal failure with progressive diabetic nephropathy.
• diabetic neuropathy. Ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages is the main cause of peripheral neuropathies. In this series, diabetes mellitus occupies the second position. Whence follows the danger arising from the combined effect of alcohol and metabolic disturbances in diabetes on the peripheral nerves.
• Gout associated with diabetes mellitus.
• Lipid metabolism disorders in the form of a sharp increase in the level of triglycerides in the blood.
• , when using treatment with metformin (Siofor) and significant alcohol consumption.

The presented contraindications to the use of alcohol in diabetes are far from exhaustive. There may also be other diseases and altered conditions in which diabetic patients should abstain from alcohol. There are diabetologists who, of course, recommend that only beer beer is the most preferable form of alcohol for diabetics.

They believe that the sugar content of beer is offset by the glucose-lowering effect of alcohol. There are proposals for the use of beer, which can be used to quickly eliminate hypoglycemia, due to the fact that maltose has a high glycemic index, which makes it possible to quickly normalize blood glucose levels in the blood.

In any case, when drinking any alcohol, diabetic patients should be very careful, because this is an additional risk of serious complications for their chronic disease.

Can I drink with type 1 diabetes?

If a person has incurable diabetes mellitus and is dependent on exogenous insulin intake, alcohol is not contraindicated. However, its dose should be moderate. Those. when drinking alcoholic beverages, control and caution must be observed. Remember: to maintain health and minimize damage, you can drink less than the recommended amount. Drinking more is strongly discouraged.

The safe dose for an insulin-dependent man is rather modest. So for a week without harm to health, he can consume 500 ml of beer (1 glass bottle of beer with a capacity of 0.5 l). If the patient prefers wine, then it can be 2 times less - 250 ml.

As for strong drinks, such as vodka or cognac, the norm for a diabetic is only 70 grams. Those. such a patient must firmly remember how much you can drink - this is 1 small glass / shot.

How much for type 2 diabetes?

When a person has diabetes mellitus weakly dependent on insulin levels, the situation is more complicated. With this disease, the cells of his body do not absorb insulin well. Thus, it becomes very difficult to regulate blood sugar with medications. Doctors recommend that such patients completely refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverages, including beer.

Beer, along with intoxicating drinks containing sugar (wine, liquor, etc.), is especially dangerous for type 2 diabetics.

Source: http://narcofree.ru/materiali_ob_alkogolizme/alkogol_i_diabet

Alcohol in diabetes

Today we are talking about diabetes, alcohol and their compatibility, because alcohol and the consequences of its use for the body have been known to mankind since antiquity, and diabetes was known in ancient Egypt, where the medical luminaries of that time paid close attention to the study of this disease. And naturally, many people wonder if it is possible to drink alcoholic beverages with diabetes, as they are afraid not to harm their body.

Type 1 diabetes

A larger percentage of doctors categorically forbid diabetics from drinking any alcohol, but here everything depends on the degree of the disease and, of course, on the dose of alcoholic beverage consumed.
For example, for type 1, a moderate dose of alcohol increases insulin sensitivity, thereby improving blood sugar control.

However, drinking alcohol as a therapy is not recommended, as this will exacerbate the degree of the disease and adversely affect the liver.

type 2 diabetes

If we talk about patients with type 2 diabetes, then in this situation, the diabetic should remember that alcohol and type 2 diabetes can only be combined in a very reasonable amount, since drinking alcohol causes an almost instantaneous decrease in blood sugar capacity.

In other words, a type 2 diabetic needs to clearly know how this or that alcoholic drink acts on the internal organs, while if a type 2 patient takes insulin, then it is better to refuse alcohol altogether. Otherwise, the heart, blood vessels and pancreas will suffer.

Can a diabetic drink wine?

It's a shame when at a family holiday, you can't eat and drink like everyone else. Therefore, the question often arises, is it possible to drink wine. Scientists believe that a glass of dry red wine a day will not harm the body. However, the patient must remember that alcohol is much more harmful and dangerous for him than for a healthy person.

Attention!

Dry red wine has elements useful for the body - polyphenols, which control the level of glucose in the blood, which is quite effective in such a disease. A diabetic should definitely pay attention to the amount of sugar contained in wine, for example, in dry wine, sugar is present from 3 to 5 percent, in semi-dry - up to 5%, in semi-sweet from 3 to 8 percent, other wines contain from 10% and more.

Thus, for a diabetic, wine with no more than 5% sugar is the best option. Therefore, doctors recommend dry red for diabetes, which practically does not increase blood glucose levels. However, you should not abuse it, you can rarely drink 150-200 grams of wine at one time, and 30-50 grams are enough for daily use.

Can diabetics drink alcohol

By the way, scientists say that drinking 50 grams of wine daily prevents the occurrence of atherosclerosis and has a beneficial effect on the vessels of the brain.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using:

• you can drink only the allowed amount of alcohol per day or no more than 200 grams, once a week;
• take alcohol only on a full stomach or simultaneously with carbohydrate-containing foods, such as potatoes, bread, and so on;
• it is necessary to observe the food intake and the time of insulin injections, but if you plan to drink a large amount of wine, then the doses of drugs should be reduced;
• Sweet wines and liqueurs are strictly prohibited.

If you do not follow all the above recommendations for drinking and drink about one liter of wine, then after half an hour the glucose level will begin to rise, and after four hours the sugar level will drop sharply, which can lead to negative consequences, one of which is.

Thus, it is possible to drink wine in moderation, but this must be done with extreme caution, since the state of the pancreas and liver should be taken into account.

Can I have vodka

In order to answer this question, let's look at the composition of vodka - it is alcohol dissolved in water, of course, impurities and food additives must be excluded from it. However, this is an ideal vodka, which is not sold on the modern alcohol market. Today, the store contains a large amount of chemical impurities, which by no means have a positive effect on human health.

Vodka, getting into the body, significantly lowers the level of glucose in the blood, which can easily lead to hypoglycemia. Vodka in combination with insulin preparations inhibits the production of purifying hormones that help the liver absorb and break down alcohol.

But at some points, vodka helps to improve the condition of a patient with diabetes, for example, if a type 2 diabetic has a sugar level that goes beyond the acceptable limit, vodka helps to stabilize this indicator. At the same time, you can consume no more than 100 grams of vodka per day, accompanying the intake of alcohol with medium-calorie food.

Vodka activates the digestion process and breaks down sugar, but along with this, it disrupts metabolism. Therefore, a preliminary consultation with a doctor will not be superfluous, so you can protect your health from negative consequences, and it is better not to use it at all.

Is it possible to have a beer

Beer contains carbohydrates in its composition, therefore it is considered a high-calorie drink. A person diagnosed with diabetes mellitus can consume no more than 300 ml of beer, provided that his disease does not proceed in a severe form.

The fact is that the indicated amount of beer will not provoke a sharp jump in blood sugar, since the alcohol present in beer neutralizes carbohydrates. But the abuse of beer can cause an attack of glycemia, which will eventually lead to a coma and even death.

Many believe that beer is absolutely safe for diabetics, this opinion arose due to the benefits of brewer's yeast, which positively affect the patient's condition.

Brewer's yeast contains a lot of fatty acids, protein and many trace elements important for the human body. Scientists have proven that brewer's yeast normalizes metabolic processes, improves blood formation and stimulates the liver. Therefore, a moderate amount is likely to be beneficial rather than harmful.

Contraindications

Consider the moments when alcohol is not desirable and contraindicated for a patient with diabetes:

• chronic pancreatitis - excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages leads to damage to the pancreas, which provokes the occurrence of chronic pancreatitis, that is, the production of digestive enzymes and insulin is disrupted;
• chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver, which are provoked by alcohol abuse;
• kidney disease, that is, observed with renal failure;
• gout;
• there is a predisposition to frequent hypoglycemic conditions.

Effects

In a diabetic, a greater percentage of sugar remains in the blood without being converted into energy, while in order to lower the glucose level, the body tries to excrete its excess in the urine. The condition when the level of sugar in the blood drops sharply is called, insulin-dependent diabetics are especially susceptible to this.

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of hypoglycemia by several times, since alcohol does not allow the liver to function normally if drinking is done on an empty stomach.

If there is also a disorder of the nervous system, then drinking alcohol will only aggravate the situation.

Drinking alcohol in diabetes

Based on the foregoing, it follows that it is possible for a diabetic patient to drink alcohol, but in a very moderate amount, that is, it is very important to control the amount of alcohol. At the same time, in no case do not mix alcoholic drinks and do not dilute them with sparkling water, it is better to dilute with ordinary drinking water without gases.

It is also harmful to drink alcohol and alcohol on an empty stomach, so as not to provoke hypoglycemia, which can lead to undesirable consequences, up to the most undesirable form of coma or death. It is better to refuse strong alcoholic beverages in diabetes mellitus altogether, while paying close attention to the sugar content even in low alcohol.

Source: http://samosoverhenstvovanie.ru/alcohol-and-diabetes/

Can you drink alcohol with diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a socially significant disease, demonstrating a tendency to increase annually. According to experts, the incidence of type II diabetes in the world from 2000 to 2030 will increase by 37%. In the United States, 15 million people suffer from diabetes, and the annual costs associated with this disease and its complications (cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, conditional blindness) reach $ 90 billion, which is about 25% of all health care costs.

The increase in the incidence of type II diabetes mellitus, observed in recent decades in Japan, experts tend to explain the "westernization" of lifestyle. This supports the hypothesis that psychosocial factors play an important role in the etiology of diabetes mellitus.

In favor of the psychosocial nature of diabetes mellitus is evidence of a sharp increase in the death rate from this disease in the republics of the former Soviet Union against the backdrop of psychosocial distress associated with radical reforms in the 90s of the last century. Thus, in Belarus, in the period from 1981 to 1993, the death rate from diabetes mellitus among men increased by 4.3 times (from 1.5 to 6.5 per 100 thousand of the population), and among women by 3.9 times ( from 2.4 to 9.4 per 100,000 population).

Along with genetic predisposition and psychosocial factors, an unhealthy lifestyle is of great importance in the etiology of diabetes mellitus: lack of physical activity, overeating leading to overweight, smoking, etc. Alcohol abuse is also one of the risk factors for diabetes.

The diabetogenic effects of alcohol include direct toxic effects on pancreatic cells, inhibition of insulin secretion and increased resistance to it, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, obesity due to excess calories, and impaired liver function.

In experimental studies, it was shown that in rats subjected to chronic alcohol intoxication, there was a decrease in the volume of the pancreas and atrophy of beta cells. The ethanol metabolites 2,3-butanediol and 1,2-propanediol inhibit basal as well as insulin-stimulated metabolism in adipocytes.

The hypoglycemic effects of alcohol may be a potential hazard for diabetic patients. Some authors estimate that 1 in 5 episodes of severe hypoglycemia is due to alcohol intake.

One study demonstrated that even small doses of alcohol consumed the night before by patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus led to morning hypoglycemia. The mechanism of this effect is not fully understood, but it is suggested that the hypoglycemic effects of alcohol are mediated by a decrease in the nocturnal secretion of growth hormone.

In experimental studies, a dose-dependent decrease in the secretion of growth hormone by alcohol was established. In addition, alcohol affects various aspects of glucose metabolism. In particular, alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis by 45%, which may be mediated by a violation of the redox potential, dose-dependent stimulation of the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, etc.

It is known that in type I diabetes mellitus gluconeogenesis is responsible for a significant part of glucose mobilization from the liver, so diabetic patients may be more sensitive to the hypoglycemic effects of alcohol compared to healthy subjects. Alcohol can also enhance the hypoglycemic effects of other drugs (eg, beta-blockers).

The results of epidemiological studies on the relationship between alcohol consumption and the incidence of type II diabetes mellitus are contradictory. Many studies have shown a positive relationship between alcohol abuse and the risk of type II diabetes.

For example, one prospective study showed that alcohol consumption in excess of 25 g per day significantly increases the risk of type II diabetes mellitus compared with the consumption of small doses of alcohol. According to the results of another study, the risk of developing type II diabetes in subjects who drink more than 36 g of alcohol per day is 50% higher compared to those who consume 1.7 g of alcohol per day.

It has also been shown that the risk of developing type II diabetes in middle-aged men who drink more than 21 drinks per week is 50% higher compared to those who drink less than 1 drink per week. According to other data, the risk of type II diabetes is 2.5 times higher in men who abuse alcohol compared to abstinents.

Attention!

One study found that drinking large doses of alcoholic beverages in a short period of time (the so-called intoxication-oriented pattern of alcohol consumption) increases the risk of type II diabetes in women.

With regard to the type of alcoholic beverage, middle-aged men who consume more than 14 drinks per week in the form of hard alcoholic beverages have an 80% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to men who consume low-alcohol drinks.

Alcohol abuse is often accompanied by smoking. In a prospective study of 41,810 men over a 6-year follow-up period, smoking was shown to double the risk of type II diabetes.

The proposed mechanism for this effect is an increase in insulin resistance in smokers. Obviously, the combination of smoking and alcohol abuse dramatically increases the risk of developing diabetes.

Recently, the existence of a U- or J-shaped relationship between the incidence of type II diabetes mellitus and alcohol consumption has been widely discussed in the literature. This means a reduced risk of morbidity with low doses of alcohol and an increased risk with high doses.

A meta-analysis of studies on the relationship between alcohol and diabetes mellitus demonstrated that alcohol consumption between 6 and 48 g per day reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 30% compared with abstinents and those who consumed more than 48 g of alcohol per day.

A prospective study found a non-linear relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of type II diabetes. The risk of diabetes mellitus progressively decreases to levels of alcohol consumption of 23.0-45.9 g per day and increases with high doses (>69.0 g per day).

Taking into account the associated risk factors, the protective effect of small doses of alcohol is more obvious in older men who do not smoke, with a heredity not burdened with diabetes mellitus. One study involved 85,000 women aged 34-59 who were followed up for 4 years.

A reduced risk of type II diabetes has been demonstrated in moderate drinkers compared to non-drinkers. Similar results were obtained in another prospective cohort study, which included 41,000 men aged 40-75 years who were followed up for 6 years.

Differences in the results of epidemiological studies may be due to ethnic characteristics, lifestyle, as well as different methodological approaches, including estimates of alcohol consumption, to, and different follow-up periods.

So, in some studies, former alcoholics who did not drink alcohol at the time of the survey, and people who have never consumed alcohol in their lives (abstinents) are combined into one group. Differences may also be due to age differences: in one study, the protective effects of alcohol were found only in people over 44 years of age.

In young people, diabetes mellitus is often congenital and therefore depends little on alcohol intake. The inconsistency of the results of the study of the relationship between alcohol and the risk of diabetes mellitus may cause such an important factor as body mass index, which is often ignored.

A reduction in the risk of diabetes mellitus with low alcohol consumption has been shown for individuals with both relatively low and relatively high body mass index. At the same time, the level of alcohol consumption associated with a reduced risk of diabetes is lower in people with a relatively low body mass index (6–12 g per day) than in those with a relatively high index (12–24 g per day).

Differences in outcomes for men and women may be due to the fact that women are more likely to hide alcohol abuse, as well as differences in the preference for alcoholic beverages. According to epidemiological studies, the increased risk of diabetes among men who consume large doses of alcohol is largely determined by strong alcoholic beverages.

At the same time, women consume predominantly low-alcohol drinks. The preference for different types of alcoholic beverages is usually associated with certain demographics and lifestyles. Wine drinkers tend to be more educated, non-smokers, lead healthier lives and, as a result, have a lower risk of disease.

Summarizing the results of epidemiological studies, one can speak without any doubt about the diabetogenic effects of large doses of alcohol, on the one hand, and the possible preventive effects of small doses of alcohol, on the other. There are biological prerequisites for these effects.

While acute and chronic alcohol intoxication increases insulin resistance, small doses of alcohol reduce it. In this regard, some authors suggest that the benefit of low doses of alcohol is possible in 10% of the population with a phenotype associated with insulin resistance syndrome.

The work discussed above focused on the relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. No less interesting is the discussion about the effect of alcohol on the risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a threefold increase in the risk of morbidity due to dyslipidemia, hypertension, increased insulin resistance, and hypercoagulability. Some epidemiological studies have shown that low doses of alcohol reduce the risk of CHD in the general population.

Similar effects occurred in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Thus, in a prospective cohort study, which involved 87938 male doctors, it was shown that small doses of alcohol reduce the risk of coronary artery disease by 40% both among patients with type II diabetes mellitus and among healthy people.

A reduction in the risk of coronary artery disease in patients with type II diabetes mellitus with the use of small doses of alcohol was also demonstrated in a prospective study, which involved 121,700 female nurses aged 30-55 years, followed up for 12 years.

Another prospective cohort study found an inverse relationship between low-dose alcohol consumption and CHD risk among older patients with type 2 diabetes. It was shown that consumption of less than 2 g of alcohol per day reduces the risk of CHD by 40%, drinking from 2 to 13 g reduces the risk by 55%, and drinking 14 g of alcohol per day reduces the risk of CHD by 75%.

The results of the epidemiological studies outlined above confuse practitioners, as diabetic patients often ask questions about alcohol consumption. The recommendations of the American and British Diabetes Associations regarding alcohol intake are the same as for the general population: no more than two drinks per day (one drink is equivalent to 8 g of absolute alcohol).

It is emphasized that alcohol should only be consumed with food. It must also be taken into account that the risk of hypoglycemia exists over the next few hours after drinking. With regard to the cardioprotective effects of alcohol, any recommendations in this regard should be given very carefully, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Of course, it is impossible to recommend the use of alcohol to persons who are not able to control its intake. In this regard, it should be noted that the very concept of "small dose" is relative, since for some patients one dose is not enough, two is a lot, and three is not enough.

Attention!

The J-shaped risk curve suggests that there is a certain optimal intake level at which cardioprotective effects are realized and the risk of alcohol-related problems is minimal. Studies show that the greatest risk reduction occurs at a very low level of consumption - one to two doses per day.

A further increase in alcohol consumption increases the risk of various negative consequences. In addition, it must be kept in mind that a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and overall mortality is strongly shown for older people, while for younger populations the relationship is linear.

This is due to the fact that the most common causes of death at a young age are accidents and poisoning, while in older age groups the main cause of death is cardiovascular diseases.

Thus, since there is no clear lower limit for the risk of alcohol-related problems, the benefits of low doses of alcohol may outweigh the harms in older people with diabetes, as they are at high risk of CHD.

Source: http://www.mednovosti.by/journal.aspx?article=484

The effect of alcohol on diabetes

Alcohol in diabetes causes a decrease in blood glucose. A diabetic patient does not need to refuse to participate in festive feasts and moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, worsening the quality of his life.

However, the patient must know how to use various alcoholic beverages correctly, that is, with the least damage to health, and in what cases it is necessary to abstain from them. It is important! It must be remembered that alcohol, that is, ethanol (ethyl alcohol), is potentially more harmful for diabetics than for people who do not suffer from it.

The specificity of drinking alcohol in diabetes is, first of all, that drinking alcohol in diabetes can cause a sharp decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia), especially if it is consumed on an empty stomach, with a small amount of food or improperly selected food. The fact is that alcohol, on the one hand, enhances the action of insulin and glucose-lowering pills, and on the other hand, it inhibits the formation of glucose in the liver.

In addition to taking alcohol on an empty stomach, the risk of developing severe hypoglycemic conditions (see the thematic section hypoglycemia and diabetes of the vital information portal diabetunet.ru) increases the intake of alcohol after a long break between meals or immediately after exercise. The amount of ethanol that has entered the body is essential, and to a lesser extent, the type of alcoholic beverage.

Approximately 30 minutes after drinking a significant amount of a strong alcoholic drink (200-250 g of vodka, whiskey, cognac, gin) or 800-1000 g of dry grape wine, the blood glucose level rises, and after 3-5 hours it drops sharply. This phenomenon is called "delayed alcoholic hypoglycemia".

Attention! The combination of evening administration of insulin with alcohol intake is especially dangerous, since severe hypoglycemia, which threatens the life of the patient, can occur during sleep, enhanced by intoxication.

Patients with diabetes when drinking alcoholic beverages must observe the following rules:

• drink alcohol only during or immediately after a meal, and the food should include starchy foods with a low or medium glycemic index (see the thematic section hypoglycemic index of the information portal about vital diabetunet.ru). Slowly digestible carbohydrates, in addition to a mild and longer-term increase in blood glucose concentration, somewhat slow down the absorption of alcohol;
• do not violate the diet provided for during insulin therapy, replacing food intake with the use of alcoholic beverages;
• if alcohol is supposed to be taken, the dose of insulin should be significantly reduced; doses of glucose-lowering tablets should also be reduced or even not taken at all;
• the amount of strong alcoholic beverages 40 - 45% vol. (volume percent of ethyl alcohol) at one time during the day should not exceed 50-60 g, since the dose of the risk of hypoglycemia is 75-100 g for them;
• after taking a large amount of strong alcoholic beverages (which is unacceptable for a diabetic patient!) Additional control of blood glucose levels is necessary, as well as the rejection of the evening dose of insulin or glucose-lowering tablets. It should be remembered that the next day, the selection of the desired dose of insulin can be difficult;
• when a hypoglycemic state occurs, easily absorbed carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, maltose, but not fructose) should preferably be taken in liquid form;
• the introduction of glucagon in hypoglycemia caused by alcohol is ineffective;
• at a feast, accompanied by the use of alcoholic beverages and foods of a varied composition of carbohydrates, it is not advisable to take the drug akabrose to slow down the absorption of glucose into the blood.

We should not forget about the toxic effect of alcohol on the liver, pancreas, kidneys, nervous and cardiovascular systems, the sensitivity of which to alcohol can be increased in diabetes mellitus with its associated comorbidities and complications.

In terms of physicochemical and other properties, ethanol differs significantly from many substances that enter the body. Ethanol constantly enters the human body in small quantities (up to 3-5 g per day) with certain foods (bread, fruits, berries, juices, sour-milk drinks, etc.) and occasionally with alcoholic beverages.

In addition, ethanol is formed in small quantities in the body itself, mainly in the liver and intestines. Therefore, an enzyme system operates in the body, which ensures its oxidation, preventing the accumulation of ethanol, as well as its decay products in the body. However, this system is not designed for excessive intake of ethanol into the body.

When drinking alcoholic beverages, almost all the amount of ethanol received is quickly absorbed in the stomach (20-30%) and in the small intestine (70-80%). A few minutes after ingestion, alcohol can be determined in the blood; the maximum concentration is reached in 30-60 minutes. If alcohol is taken on an empty stomach or with carbonated drinks, its absorption into the blood is faster.

Ethanol is rapidly distributed in the body due to its good water solubility. In women, the water content per 1 kg of body weight is less than in men, so equal doses of ethanol can cause more pronounced effects in women. In addition, in most women, the activity of enzymes involved in the breakdown of ethanol is lower than in men. As a result, women develop alcoholic liver damage at lower doses of ethanol and in a shorter time than men.

After drinking alcoholic beverages, about 10% of ethanol is excreted unchanged with exhaled air, urine, sweat, and 90% of it is oxidized. If urination is delayed for any reason, ethanol can be reabsorbed from the bladder, maintaining a high concentration in the blood and tissues.

The process of ethanol oxidation occurs in many organs and tissues, but mainly in the liver (80-95%). The average rate of removal of ethanol that has entered the body is normally 100-125 mg per 1 kg of body weight per hour in adults, and only 28-30 mg in children.

The time of complete disintegration of alcohol ethanol in the blood

The toxic effect is inherent mainly in the product of ethanol metabolism - acetaldehyde. In the liver, ethanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water through the formation of acetaldehyde. With excessive consumption of ethanol, severe liver disease and other diseases, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body.

Risk factors toxic effect of ethanol-acetaldehyde:

• the dose of ethanol, determined not by the type (type) of the alcoholic beverage, but by its amount that enters the body;
• the duration (weeks, months, years) of drinking excess amounts of ethanol;
• female;
• genetic (hereditary) factors affecting the degree and rate of ethanol neutralization in the body without the accumulation of acetaldehyde; the degree of complete decomposition of ethanol in different healthy people differs by at least 3 times;
• obesity II - III degree, which in recent years has been classified as an independent risk factor due to the deposition of fat in hepatocytes - liver cells, which impairs the exchange of ethanol.

There is an ongoing debate in medicine about safe and toxic doses of alcohol. As a conventional unit, 10 g of ethanol is taken, which approximately corresponds to 30 ml of vodka, 100 ml of unfortified wine or 250 ml of beer. It is recognized that the type of alcoholic drink is of significantly less importance for the body than the absolute amount of ethanol consumed.

World Health Organization (WHO) experts consider 25 g of ethanol for healthy men and 12 g for healthy women to be relatively safe daily doses. The undesirability of the daily use of alcoholic beverages, as well as their intake on an empty stomach, is noted.

The indicated doses do not apply to nursing mothers: alcohol consumption is contraindicated for them. For many diseases, there are no "safe" doses of ethanol.

In a number of countries, higher average daily doses of ethanol consumption than recommended by WHO experts are recognized as “safe”. As a result, there were differences in the allowable consumption of different alcoholic beverages.

So, in 2002, the American Diabetes Association considered it acceptable to consume alcoholic beverages in diabetes mellitus (in the absence of contraindications) in the following maximum daily amounts: for men - 85 - 90 ml of spirits, or 300 ml of wine, or 700 ml of beer; for women - half as much.

In 2003 - 2005 published the results of many years of studies conducted in the United States, the Netherlands, Japan and other countries on the impact of alcohol consumption on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It was found that the lowest risk of developing manifestations of diabetes was in people who moderately consumed alcoholic beverages: from 9 to 17 g per day in terms of absolute ethanol.

Attention!

Abstainers and heavy drinkers (more than 40 g per day in terms of ethanol) were 1.5 and 2.9 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than moderate drinkers, respectively.

Studies in the Netherlands have shown that moderate doses of ethanol (up to 15 g per day) increase tissue sensitivity to insulin, both in healthy people and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with their characteristic reduced tissue sensitivity to insulin. A slight positive effect of moderate doses of alcoholic beverages on lipid metabolism and blood clotting in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease has been proven.

On the one hand, data from new studies point to the admissibility of moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages in diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, admissibility does not mean desirability, much less mandatory, since the boundary between moderate alcohol consumption and its abuse is very narrow and unsteady, and the reactions to ethanol in different people differ significantly from the average values.

It should also be taken into account specific features of the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a significant part of the population of Russia, namely:

• structure of consumption that has no analogues in the world: low consumption of low-alcohol drinks (especially table grape wines) and extremely high consumption of strong alcoholic drinks;
• the most dangerous for health and life character of alcohol consumption: episodic consumption of strong alcoholic beverages in high, shock doses, leading to the development of intoxication of the body;
• the presence on the market of alcoholic products of a large number of low-quality products and counterfeit alcoholic beverages;
• a high level of consumption of home-made strong alcoholic beverages that cause intoxication (poisoning) of the body.

Contraindications to the use of alcoholic beverages in diabetes mellitus:

1. Alcohol abuse is one of the main causes of pancreatic damage with the development of chronic pancreatitis with a violation of the production of digestive enzymes, and then insulin. There is a specific secondary diabetes mellitus.
2. Accompanying diabetes chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver caused by viruses, alcohol or other causes.
3. - progressive diabetic nephropathy with renal failure.
4. diabetic neuropathy. Alcohol is the main cause of peripheral neuropathies. Diabetes mellitus ranks second in this series. This implies the danger of a combined effect on the peripheral nerves of alcohol and impaired metabolism in diabetes.
5. Gout associated with diabetes.
6. Lipid metabolism disorders in the form of a sharp increase in the content of triglycerides in the blood.
7. Metformin (Siofor) - a glucose-lowering drug for type 2 diabetes. With significant alcohol consumption while taking metformin, the risk of developing a special disorder of the acid-base state of the body - lactic acidosis increases.
8. Increased propensity of a patient with diabetes mellitus to hypoglycemic conditions.

The presented list does not exhaust all diseases and conditions in which patients with diabetes mellitus should refrain from alcoholic beverages. It is important to take into account another aspect of the consumption of alcoholic beverages, which are officially classified as food.

One gram of ethanol, when fully oxidized in the body, gives 7 kcal, which is almost 2 times more energy received from one gram of digestible carbohydrates - an average of 4 kcal. Although dietary ethanol is not considered a vital source of energy, its contribution to the energy value of daily diets can be from 5 to 10% in people who consume alcoholic beverages moderately.

In dry (table) grape wines, dry champagne and spirits, the energy source is practically only ethanol, since the carbohydrate content in them does not exceed 1% (0.1% in vodka). Semi-dry, semi-sweet, sweet wines and champagne, liqueurs and other drinks contain carbohydrates - sugars, i.e. glucose and sucrose, in a smaller amount - fructose. For example, in semi-sweet champagne - 6 - 6.5%, in liqueurs - 25 - 35% sugars.

Beer contains 4-6% carbohydrates, mainly rapidly absorbed maltose, which breaks down in the intestine to glucose. The range of alcoholic beverages containing carbohydrates is very diverse, and bottle labels usually indicate the total amount of sugars. All these carbohydrates in the body provide energy, as a result of which the energy value of alcoholic beverages (taking into account the content of ethanol in them) can increase significantly.

Estimated energy value of 100 ml of alcoholic beverages:

• beer - 40-50 kcal,
• dry (table) grape wines - 65-70 kcal,
• semi-dry champagne - 90 kcal,
• ports - 120-150 kcal,
• vodka, cognac and other strong drinks - 240 - 270 kcal,
• liqueurs - 300 - 320 kcal.

Consequently, from 0.5 l of beer a person receives 200-250 kcal due to ethanol and carbohydrates, which approximately corresponds to the energy received from 100 g of white bread. In terms of energy value, 50 ml of vodka or brandy approximately corresponds to 30 g of sugar, 200 g of milk with 3.2% fat content, 100 g of milk ice cream, 150 g of potatoes (peeled), 300 g of apples, etc.

At the same time, we do not compare the nutritional value and usefulness of these foods (it is clear that milk or an apple is healthier than vodka), but we are talking only about energy value. At the same time, it should be noted that beer or natural grape wines contain very small amounts of vitamins, minerals and other biologically active food substances, and vodka is practically a source of only ethanol and, due to it, “Empty Calories”.

In relation to patients with diabetes mellitus, the following follow from the foregoing: recommendations:

• it is necessary to take into account the contribution of alcoholic beverages to the daily energy value of food rations, especially when diabetes mellitus is combined with obesity or metabolic syndrome, when it is desirable to exclude the consumption of these beverages altogether;
• in the presence of sugars in alcoholic beverages, one should take into account their share in the carbohydrate composition of the diet as a whole and for individual meals, especially with insulin therapy or taking glucose-lowering tablets;
• it is advisable to limit the use of semi-sweet and sweet alcoholic beverages containing more than 5% sugars: fortified wines (port wine, Madeira, sherry, etc.), semi-sweet and sweet champagne, dessert wines (Cahors, Muscat, etc.), liqueurs, liquors, sweet vermouth etc..;
• it is advisable to limit sweet (due to sugar) soft drinks and fruit juices, both for drinking strong alcoholic drinks and for making cocktails. You can use soft drinks with food additives - sweeteners, mineral water, low-sweet, diluted with water, juices (grapefruit, cranberries, etc.);
• when drinking alcoholic beverages, dry and semi-dry natural grape wines are preferred (respectively 0.3 and 3% sugars; 10-12% ethyl alcohol), especially dry red wine, useful in moderate doses (150-200 ml per day) for atherosclerosis; dry and semi-dry champagne or 100 ml of dry sherry (1% sugar), low-sugar (less than 5% sugars) Madeira and vermouth varieties containing 16-20% ethyl alcohol are allowed in the indicated quantities.

Some diabetologists believe that beer is most preferable among alcoholic beverages in diabetes, believing that the sugar content in it is compensated by the glucose-lowering effect of alcohol. There are suggestions to use beer to quickly eliminate hypoglycemia, given the high glycemic index of maltose, which makes it possible to urgently normalize blood glucose levels.

Alcoholic beverages differ in many ways, such as production method, taste or strength. Accordingly, their impact on the body also varies. 100 ml of tequila contains 24 grams of carbohydrates, while in drinks of a similar strength they are absent. So, there is no sugar in vodka, whiskey and cognac. But it is present in abundance in port, liqueurs and sweet wines. The use of any alcohol changes the level of glucose in the blood up or down. The result depends on the amount of alcohol, its type and the initial state of the body.

Drink type

The effect of alcohol on the body is due to its composition. Quality also plays a role. But if we start from human consumption of alcohol, manufactured in accordance with the norms, attention is focused on the type and quantity of components . Each category of alcoholic beverages has its own characteristics:

• Vodka and other strong products. Products with an alcohol content of more than 40 percent traditionally contain negligible amounts of sugar and other carbohydrates. Unsweetened spirits block the release of glucose from the liver, which leads to a drop in blood sugar levels.
• Guilt. The effect depends on the type of product. Vermouth, Cahors and various dessert drinks increase sugar levels. Sherry and dry varieties have little effect on glucose concentration.
• Champagne. The average carbohydrate content in such a drink is 5%. The concentration of sugar, as in wine, varies depending on the variety. Brut has little effect on glucose levels, while sweet champagne can lead to its jump.
• Beer. The product is based on carbohydrates. Their concentration in beer varies within 4%-5%. The product increases sugar levels.
• Carbonated soft drinks. They are high in sugar and calories, and therefore increase glucose levels.

The above does not mean that vodka is indicated for diabetics and people with a high concentration of sugar in the blood. By blocking the production of glucose, drinks create the risk of developing glycemia, the first symptoms of which can be confused with alcohol intoxication. Beer in moderation (up to 0.5 liters per day) is also allowed for patients with diabetes.

Number of drinks

The larger the dose of alcohol, the more it affects blood glucose. So, a glass of dry red wine will do the body more harm than good, due to the substances contained in dark berries. The use of a bottle of this drink, stretched for a day, is usually painless for the body. But drunk in a short period of time (several hours), it can lead to a drop in sugar levels. A glass of vodka (whiskey, cognac) in 50 ml is the allowable daily allowance for diabetics; a glass drunk for several hours with a snack can also remain without consequences. But a can of low-alcohol soda (500 ml), which is considered a serving for one, will contribute to a jump in sugar.

Keeping love for alcohol, a person should remember that alcohol can both reduce and increase the concentration of glucose. The choice of drink depends on preferences; theoretically, in the diet, you can save any product while observing the dosage.

Health status

Diabetes is a major risk factor for fluctuations in sugar levels due to alcohol, other drinks and foods. Patients with this diagnosis should carefully monitor the diet. On a healthy body, fluctuations in glucose, provoked by the use of alcohol, do not have a critical effect; addiction to alcohol has other consequences, such as intoxication. But there are a number of conditions, in addition to diabetes, in which you need to monitor this parameter. High glucose levels are observed when:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• hepatitis;
• pheochromocytoma and other disorders of the endocrine system;
• cancer of the pancreas and the mentioned organs.

A decrease in sugar concentration is due to a violation of liver metabolism, dysfunction of the pituitary gland and other diseases. With such diagnoses, alcohol consumption is usually prohibited or restricted. Fluctuations are also provoked by the use of drugs. For the duration of the course of drug treatment, it is desirable to completely abandon alcohol, regardless of glucose levels.

Alcoholic beverages are divided into three main classes: beer, wine, and spirits (or distilled beverages). They can be consumed legally in most countries of the world, and over 100 countries have adopted laws to regulate their production, sale, and consumption. In particular, such laws regulate the age at which a person can legally purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. This age varies depending on the country and type of alcoholic drink, but most countries set it at 18.

The names of some alcoholic beverages are determined by the raw materials from which they are produced.

List of alcoholic drinks: all types

Everyone knows about the dangers of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol destroys health and causes severe addiction, which is not so easy to get rid of. But, despite the complexity of production and the expensive cost, alcohol does not go out of fashion and does not lose popularity. Therefore, alcohol brands are flourishing, and new types of spirits fill supermarket shelves with constant regularity.

People like the feeling of a slight euphoria that drinking brings, a feeling of pleasant relaxation. In a small dose, good and high-quality alcohol even brings some benefits to the body. Doctors agree with this. But here's how to understand the rich and prosperous alcoholic world and choose the right alcoholic drinks, the list of names of which has already exceeded many thousands? Let's try.

History of alcohol

It is difficult to say now when exactly mankind got acquainted with alcohol. It is known that historically the first alcohol goes back centuries. Even Miklouho-Maclay observed how the Papuans of New Guinea, who were not even familiar with fire, were already successfully obtaining alcohol for their needs.

The word "alcohol" is of Arabic origin, in translation it means "stupefying mind".

The oldest tribes initially used alcohol to perform numerous rituals and summon spirits. These traditions later found their continuation in the rite of “twinning”. And, perhaps, it was from these times that the tradition began to meet guests with a rich table and the same alcohol.

What are alcoholic drinks

Alcohol refers to products in the manufacture of which ethyl alcohol is involved. Most alcohol is obtained by fermentation. In addition to ethyl alcohol, other types of raw materials are also used in the creation of alcoholic beverages:

• apricot, grapes; plum, pineapple, pear;
• corn, rice, wheat, rye, millet, barley;
• sweet potato, potato, agave and sugar cane.

Numerous spices, honey, tints, flavors and some herbs are also used in the technological processes for the manufacture of alcohol. True alcohol gourmets cherish the dream of tasting the entire list of alcoholic beverages ever created by man. The main thing to remember, cherishing your dream, is that alcohol in large quantities can cause alcohol addiction and simply kill a person.

All varieties of alcoholic beverages that exist in the world can be divided into groups based on their strength. These are the following areas of alcohol:

In general, this gradation can be taken into account when classifying alcohol only conditionally. In some countries and regions, alcohol strength standards are higher, while in others they are lower. This classification is quite ephemeral, because the amount and norms of alcohol that determine this classification are not the same everywhere. Therefore, we will rely on the list of types of alcohol and its strength standards adopted in Russia.

Low alcohol alcohol

Alcohol of this type is considered the least safe for health, and some low-alcohol types of these products do not even fall under the concept of "alcohol-containing". The range and list of low-alcohol drinks is so large that it is simply not possible to count absolutely all of their types.

Low-alcohol alcohol is light alcoholic beverages in which the ethanol content does not exceed 6-8%.

We list only those types of low-alcohol alcohol that are most popular in Russia and known to our consumers. These are the following product types:

1. Beer. It is made from hops, brewer's yeast and purified water. Beer is also divided into non-alcoholic (strength from 0.1%) and strong (3-6%). Everyone's favorite hops vary in color: red, dark and light, according to the method of fermentation: top and bottom and raw materials: corn, rice, rye.
2. Cider. In the manufacture of such a drink, fruit extracts are used (usually apple or pear). The juice is fermented, but without the use of yeast. Cider is a carbonated spirit, with a strength of 1-8%. This drink has a greenish or golden color and a rich fruity aroma.
3. Braga. This alcohol is often used as a kind of transitional product for its subsequent processing into moonshine (strong intoxicant), while the mash itself has a strength of 3-8%. It is divided into its types: pruno, keel and brawanda.
4. Kvass. This popular, especially in the summer heat, is not, as such, alcohol. But still, a small percentage of alcohol is present in it. This ancient Slavic drink, adhering to ancient traditions, is made from malt, flour and rye bread. Berries, fruits, herbs and natural honey can also be added there.
5. Toddy. The low-alcohol drink is essentially palm wine. In the process of its preparation, palm juices of some varieties (wine, sugar and coconut) are used. For us, Toddy is still considered quite rare and exotic alcohol, but it is rapidly gaining popularity.
6. Koumiss. Just like kvass, this strengthening and very healthy drink does not belong to the category of alcohol. But it contains even a tiny, but existing percentage of ethanol. Koumiss is prepared from the milk of young mares.

Medium alcohol alcohol

This category includes alcoholic beverages with an ethanol concentration of up to 30%. Many of the types of alcohol of this type contain fruit juices or pieces of natural fruit.

Medium-alcohol drinks in many cases are used to prevent various diseases. Of course, subject to their moderate consumption.

Their benefits are due to the fruits included in the composition, in particular, grapes. As you know, this sunny fruit contains a huge amount of various vitamins and micro and macro elements useful for life. Grape juice has been successfully used for therapy:

• asthma;
• pleurisy;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammatory diseases of the bronchopulmonary system.

So what kind of alcohol is useful? The list of medium-alcohol products includes such well-known alcohol-containing drinks as:

1. Wine. Probably the most popular of the list of medium-strength alcohol-containing products. Wines, in turn, are divided by color (pink, white and red), sugar concentration (dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet). There is a variety of wines saturated with carbon dioxide - they are called sparkling. Wine is famous for a large list of useful properties and is actively used in medical practice.
2. Mead. In the manufacture of this aromatic spirit, yeast, natural high-quality honey and numerous flavoring additional ingredients are used. Mead has its own classification, depending on honey characteristics: variety, aging period, time of its inclusion in manufactured products and the level of sterilization.
3. Mulled wine. The surest remedy for a harsh winter. This fragrant drink perfectly saves from freezing and colds. It is prepared by boiling spices and various fruits in natural wine.
4. Punch. An original wine cocktail with added fruit juice and various fragrant and tasty pieces of selected fruits themselves. Very often, the juice content in punch even exceeds the percentage of wine.
5. Grog. The same rum that belongs to the list of strong alcohol. But grog is an average drink in terms of degrees, as it is diluted with sugar syrup or sweet strong tea.

strong liquor

The strength of these alcoholic beverages varies between 20-80%. Doctors advise with extreme caution to use this type of alcohol due to its high strength. The range of these products is very large, the list of strong alcoholic beverages includes the following types:

1. Vodka. It is an alcohol that has no color, with a strength of 40-55%. The drink is based on rectified alcohol, which is produced from potato or grain raw materials. This type of strong alcohol has a huge number of brands, varieties and names.
2. Cognac. For the manufacture of this type of alcohol, a certain technology is used. Use special varieties of dark grapes. At the output, the cognac is fragrant, with an attractive amber hue. This type of strong alcohol is classified according to the place of production and aging.
3. Rum (cane vodka). This alcohol is made from cane. Rum differs in color (it can be transparent, light, golden or dark in color). Light rum is often used to make various cocktails. But the amber rum is aged in oak barrels, in the process various aroma spices and caramel are added to it. Dark rum has the brightest taste and conquers alcohol gourmets with a rich aroma of caramel and molasses. He also successfully goes to the preparation of cocktails, rum is used in the culinary industry.
4. Tequila. The exotic drink is also called "Mexican vodka". It is prepared from the juice obtained from the leaves and stems of the blue agave.
5. Whiskey. An unusually aromatic high-strength alcoholic drink made from wheat, rye, barley or corn. Whiskey undergoes a long aging in oak containers, at the exit it has a light or dark, saturated color. Classic high quality whiskey is made in Ireland and Scotland.
6. Brandy. In the process of preparing a drink that tastes close to whiskey, grape or apple juice is used.
7. Sambuca. At its core, this alcohol is pure vodka, to which anise and a select collection of medicinal herbs are added. Sambuca has no color, but has a sweetish taste and pleasant aroma. There are also dark types of this alcohol. The ingredients of the unique spirit also include sugar, wheat, various berries and elderberries. The real sambuca recipe is kept in the strictest confidence.
8. Gin. In the process of preparing this strong alcohol, grain ethanol and numerous selected spices are used: citrus fruits, coriander, almonds, cinnamon and juniper berries. This composition gives the gin an original, incomparable taste and smell.
9. Liquor. Very sweet and odorous alcohol, prepared on the basis of fruit and berry juices with an increased inclusion of sugar (its content is 25-65%), numerous spices and aromatic herbs. This type of strong alcohol is considered the most high-calorie.
10. Tinctures. These types of alcohol-containing products are prepared by insisting on high-quality, pure ethanol of a variety of berries and herbs. Tinctures are classified into bitter, sweet and semi-sweet. Very often, this type of strong alcohol is used as a means of therapy for various diseases.
11. Absinthe. The main component of this alcohol is wormwood. Absinthe has earned fame as the strongest alcoholic drink. Its fortress is about 76-86%. It is classified by color (black, green, red and yellow), by strength and by the concentration of thujone (a natural compound contained in the extract from tansy).

Of course, not all subspecies of alcohol products are included in this list of alcohol. Too many of them. We have only listed the most common and beloved in our country. The number of alcoholic beverages is increasing every year. Therefore, so much effort is invested in the prevention of alcoholism, which is also growing from year to year.

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Alcoholic drinks: list. Types and names of alcoholic beverages

Even in ancient times, people learned to produce a variety of alcoholic beverages. The list of names includes a huge number of species and varieties. They differ mainly in the raw materials from which they were prepared.

List of low-alcohol alcoholic drinks

Beer is a low-alcohol drink obtained by fermenting hops, malt wort and brewer's yeast. The alcohol content in it is 3-12%

Champagne is a sparkling wine obtained by secondary fermentation. Contains alcohol 9-20%.

Wine is an alcoholic beverage obtained by fermentation of yeast and grape juice of various varieties, the names of which, as a rule, are present in the name. The alcohol content is 9-20%.

Vermouth is a fortified wine, flavored with spicy and medicinal plants, the main component is wormwood. Fortified wines contain % alcohol.

Sake is a Japanese traditional alcoholic drink. Obtained by fermentation of rice, rice malt and water. The strength of this drink is 14.5-20% vol.

Strong liquor

Tequila. The traditional Mexican product is obtained from the juice extracted from the core of the blue agave. "Silver" and "Golden" tequila are especially common alcoholic drinks. The list can be continued with such names as "Sauza", "Jose Cuervo" or "Sierra". The best taste is considered to be a drink with an exposure of 4-5 years. Alcohol content%.

Sambuca. A strong Italian liqueur based on alcohol and essential oil derived from anise. White, black and red sambuca are in the greatest demand. Fortress -%.

Liqueurs. Strong sweet alcoholic drinks. The list can be divided into 2 categories: cream liqueurs (20-35%), dessert (25-30%) and strong (35-45%).

Cognac. A strong alcoholic drink based on cognac spirit obtained by distillation of wine. Distillation takes place in special copper cubes, the product is subject to subsequent aging in oak barrels for at least two years. After diluting alcohol with distilled water, it acquires a strength%.

Vodka. Refers to strong drinks with an alcohol content. It is a mixture of water and alcohol, which is made from natural products by fermentation followed by distillation. The most popular drinks: vodka "Absolute", "Wheat", "Capital".

Brandy. An alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice by distillation. The alcohol content in it -%.

Gin. A strong alcoholic drink with a unique taste, obtained by distillation of wheat alcohol and juniper. To enhance the taste, natural additives may be present in it: lemon or orange peel, anise, cinnamon, coriander. The strength of gin is 37.5-50%.

Whiskey. A strong drink that is made by fermenting, distilling and aging cereals (barley, corn, wheat, etc.). Aged in oak barrels. Contains alcohol in %.

Rum. One of the strongest alcoholic drinks. It is made on the basis of alcohol aged in barrels for at least 5 years, due to which it acquires a brown color and a burning taste. The strength of rum varies from 40 to 70%.

Absinthe. A very strong drink with an alcohol content of 70 to 85%. It is based on alcohol, wormwood extract and a set of herbs such as anise, mint, licorice, calamus and some others.

Here are the main alcoholic drinks. This list is not final, it can be continued with other names. However, all of them will be derived from the main composition.

Types of alcoholic drinks

All drinks containing ethanol in varying amounts, also known as alcohol, are called alcoholic beverages. Basically they are divided into three classes:

3. Strong alcoholic drinks.

Bread kvass. Depending on the manufacturing method, it may contain from 0.5 to 1.5% alcohol. Prepared on the basis of malt (barley or rye), flour, sugar, water, it has a refreshing taste and bread aroma.

Actually beer. It is made from almost the same ingredients as kvass, but with the addition of hops and yeast. Regular beer contains 3.7-4.5% alcohol, but there is still strong beer, where this percentage rises to 7-9 units.

Kumis, ayran, bilk. Drinks based on fermented milk. May contain up to 4.5% alcohol.

Energy alcoholic drinks. They contain tonic substances: caffeine, guarana extract, cocoa alkaloids, etc. The alcohol content in them ranges from 7-8%.

Second category

Wines natural grape. Depending on the sugar content and the variety of the main raw materials, they are divided into dry, semi-dry, sweet and semi-sweet, as well as white and red. The names of the wines also depend on the grape varieties used: "Riesling", "Rkatsiteli", "Isabella" and others.

Wines natural fruit and berry. They can be made from various berries and fruits and are also classified by sugar content and color.

Special grades

These include Madeira, vermouth, port, sherry, Cahors, Tokay and others. These wines are made by special methods and in a specific wine-growing area. In Hungary, in the manufacture of Tokay, a “noble” mold is used, which allows the berries to dry right on the vine. In Portugal, Madeira is aged in special solariums under the open sun; in Spain, sherry matures under a yeast film.

Table, dessert and fortified wines. The former are prepared using natural fermentation technology, the latter are very sweet and flavored, and the third are fortified with alcohol to the desired degree. They can all be red, pink and white in color.

Champagne and other sparkling wines. Of these, French is the most popular, but in other countries there are no less worthy drinks, for example, Portuguese spumante, Spanish cava or Italian asti. Sparkling wines are distinguished by their special appearance, delicate aroma, and interesting taste. Their main difference from still wines is playful bubbles. The color of the drinks can be pink and white, but sometimes there are sparkling red wines. According to the sugar content, they are divided into dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet. The quality of a wine is determined by the number and size of the bubbles, how long they last and, of course, how they taste.

These types of alcoholic beverages have a strength of not more than 20% vol.

The third and largest category

Vodka. An alcoholic beverage made from cereals containing 40% alcohol. By way of continuous distillation, a new product was obtained at one time, called Absolut vodka, and its producer, Lare Olsen Smith, was awarded the title of "king of vodka". Sometimes this drink is infused with herbs, citrus fruits or nuts. Made using Swedish technology from high-purity alcohol, vodka rightfully occupies one of the first places in the rating of alcoholic beverages in this category. It is used to prepare various cocktails.

Bitter tinctures. They are obtained by insisting vodka or alcohol on aromatic spices, herbs or roots. Fortress degrees, but can rise up to 45 o, for example, "Pepper", "Stark" or "Hunting".

Sweet drinks

The tinctures are sweet. They are prepared on the basis of alcohol or vodka, mixed with fruit drinks and sugar, the content of which can reach 25%, while the alcohol content usually does not exceed 20%. Although some drinks are stronger, for example, the Excellent tincture contains 40% alcohol.

Pouring. They differ in that they are made on the basis of fresh berries or fruits without yeast, but with the addition of strong vodka and a large amount of sugar. These types of alcoholic drinks are very thick and sweet. The name of the liqueurs tells what they are made of: plum, dogwood, strawberry. Although there are strange names: "spotykach", "casserole". They contain 20% alcohol and 20% sugar.

Liqueurs. Thick, very sweet and strong drinks. They are made by mixing molasses or sugar syrup with alcohol infused with various herbs, spices, essential oils and other aromatic substances. There are dessert liqueurs - with an alcohol content of up to 25%, strong - 45% and fruit and berry, with a strength of 50%. Any of these varieties requires exposure from 3 months to 2 years. The name of alcoholic beverages indicates what aromatic additives were used in the preparation of the product: Vanilla, Coffee, Raspberry, Apricot, and so on.

Strong grape drinks

Cognacs. They are made on the basis of cognac spirits, and spirits are obtained by fermentation of various grape varieties. One of the first places in the line is occupied by Armenian cognac. The most popular is "Ararat", "Nairi", "Armenia", "Jubilee" are no less famous. Of the French, the most popular are Hennessy, Courvoisier, Martel, Hain. All cognacs are divided into 3 categories. The first includes ordinary drinks aged for 3 years. The second is vintage cognacs, which have a minimum aging period of 6 years. The third includes drinks-long-lived, called collection. Here the shortest exposure is 9 years.

French, Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian brandy is produced and sold by cognac houses founded more than one century ago and still dominating the market.

Grappa. Italian vodka based on grape pomace, aged in oak or cherry barrels from 6 months to 10 years. The value of the drink depends on the aging period, the grape variety and the place where the vine grows. Grappa's relatives are Georgian chacha and South Slavic brandy.

Very strong liquor

Absinthe is one of them. Its main component is an extract of bitter wormwood. The essential oils of this plant contain the substance thujone, which is the main component of the drink. The more thujone, the better the absinthe. The price directly depends on the percentage of this substance and on the originality of the drink. Along with wormwood, absinthe includes anise, mint, angelica, licorice and other herbs. Whole wormwood leaves are sometimes placed at the bottom of the bottles to confirm the naturalness of the product. Thujone in absinthe can contain from 10 to 100%. By the way, the drink is presented in two varieties - silver and gold. So, “golden” absinthe, the price of which is always quite high (from 2 to 15 thousand rubles per liter), is banned in Europe precisely because of the large amount of the substance mentioned above, reaching 100%. The usual color of the drink is emerald green, but it can be yellow, red, brown and even transparent.

Rum. It is prepared by fermentation from the residual products of sugar cane - syrup and molasses. The quantity and quality of the product depends on the type and type of raw materials. The following types of rum are distinguished by color: Cuban "Havana", "Varadero" (light or silver); gold or amber; Jamaican "Captain Morgan" (dark or black); Martinican (made only from cane juice). The fortress of Roma is gr.

Strong drinks with fruit juice

Calvados. One of the varieties of brandy. For the preparation of the product, 50 varieties of apples are used, and for uniqueness, a pear blend is added. Then the fruit juice is fermented and clarified by double distillation and brought to 70 degrees. Aged in oak or chestnut barrels from 2 to 10 years. Then, with softened water, the fortress is reduced to 40 o.

Gin, balm, aquavit, armagnac. They are also included in the third category, since alcohol is present in all of them. These are all strong alcoholic drinks. Prices for them depend on the quality of alcohol ("Lux", "Extra"), the strength and aging of the drink, the brand and the constituent components. Many contain extracts of aromatic herbs and roots.

Homemade drinks

Homemade moonshine is also a prominent representative of strong alcoholic beverages. Craftsmen make it from different products: it can be berries, apples, apricots or other fruits, wheat, potatoes, rice, any jam. Sugar and yeast must be added to them. All of this is shattered. Then, by distillation, a strong drink is obtained with an alcohol content of up to 75%. For greater purity of the product, a double distillation can be done. Home-made moonshine is purified from fusel oils and other impurities by filtration, then it (optional) is either insisted on various herbs, nuts, spices, or diluted with fruit drinks, essences, juices. With proper preparation, this drink will not yield to various vodkas and tinctures in terms of taste.

Finally, I would like to remind you of two simple rules, following which you will be able to maintain your health and not be bored in a cheerful company: do not abuse alcohol and do not spend money on low-quality drinks. And then everything will be fine.

The most popular alcoholic drinks (with photo)

Alcoholic drinks with the right approach give excellent opportunities for relaxation after a hard day's work. This page contains a list of alcoholic drinks that are traditional for different countries of the world. This list of names of alcoholic beverages is far from complete and lacks more than a hundred different types of alcohol. But the most popular alcoholic drinks are presented even with brief descriptions, thanks to which you can make your own first impression. This will help you create your own "wine list" to plan your next tasting. All names of alcoholic beverages are given exactly in the form in which they are familiar to the vast majority of people. Read about the common types of alcoholic beverages, learn about their beneficial and harmful properties. Choose the type of alcoholic drink that will allow you to get the most pleasure from drinking it with minimal negative health effects. Well, look at the alcoholic drinks in the photo, which richly illustrated the article.

Classification of different traditional alcoholic beverages

Alcohols are organic substances that are a chain of carbohydrates, where one hydrogen molecule is replaced by the rest of the water OH. The classification of alcoholic beverages begins with the fact that there are alcohols: ethyl, methyl, propyl, butyl alcohols.

Edible ethyl alcohol for traditional alcoholic beverages is obtained from food raw materials - grain, potatoes, as well as from secondary raw materials of winemaking (grape pomace, yeast sediments).

Technical methyl alcohol is extremely toxic, it does not differ in smell and taste from ethyl alcohol. He has hundreds of thousands of human lives on his account (accidentally drinking 100 ml of methyl alcohol leads to complete blindness due to toxic damage to the optic nerve, more causes death).

Propyl and butyl alcohols are not so toxic, but have a specific smell, which led to their name - fusel oils. Their content is high in moonshine, poorly purified vodka. Therefore, when we say alcohol or alcohol, we mean only ethyl (or wine) alcohol.

Rectified ethyl alcohol (ethanol) intended for various alcoholic beverages can be ordinary or of the highest purity. The strength of ordinary alcohol is not less than 95.5%, and the highest purification is not less than 96.2%. It is the starting material for the preparation of popular alcoholic drinks such as vodka and fortified wine.

In medicine, ethyl alcohol (95.5% or 70%) is used, which has undergone thorough purification.

List and classification of strong alcoholic beverages

The following is a list of strong alcoholic drinks that are frequent guests on the tables of our compatriots. This classification of strong alcoholic beverages is generally accepted and gives a general idea of ​​​​them. See what strong alcoholic drinks are and decide on your choice.

Strong white alcoholic drink: vodka and tequila

Vodka is a strong alcoholic drink (40-56%), which is prepared by treating an aqueous-alcoholic solution with activated carbon, with or without ingredients added to it, followed by filtration. Simply put, vodka is a mixture of rectified alcohol with prepared water. Ethyl alcohol is miscible with water in any ratio.

Mexican "vodka" is tequila, an alcoholic drink obtained by distilling the extract of the cactus of the same name.

Even D. I. Mendeleev calculated the ideal proportion for the preparation of vodka as an alcoholic drink with a percentage ratio of 40: 60, that is, a 40% alcohol solution, which is the most homogeneous mixture, is most easily absorbed and gives a person more warmth. It is not in vain that vodka made in this way has long been used not only for gastronomic purposes, but also for medicinal purposes.

Studies by American and German scientists have led to the conclusion that the normal dose of a white alcoholic drink for an adult man is up to 100 ml of alcohol per day in terms of vodka, and for a woman, respectively, almost 2 times less. Moreover, this dose is not summed up during the week (for example, if a person has not drunk for a whole week, then half a liter per one on Saturday will only harm him, at best - a severe headache).

If a person can limit himself to this dose, he will be able to drink alcohol for many years without harm to his health. At the same time, you need to give yourself a mindset that these self-restraints are not a forced ban, but a wise distribution of pleasure: having drunk a little today and having fun, you can do it tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and after many, many years in the future. If you do not do this, then you will be forced to face very big problems in a fairly short time.

English alcoholic drinks: scotch and gin

Gin is a strong alcoholic drink obtained by mixing raw alcohol with essential oils of juniper berries, coriander, cardamom, cumin, ginger, and cinnamon. The alcohol content of this English alcoholic drink is %. Gin is colorless. Although gin is produced in many countries, there are two types of gin - Dutch and London dry.

Scotch is an alcoholic drink of increased strength and is also traditionally produced and consumed in England and its surrounding territories.

Whiskey alcoholic drink

Whiskey is a strong alcoholic drink with an alcohol content of 40% or more, which is obtained by distillation of fermented grain must, followed by long-term aging (from 3 to 10 years) in oak barrels with charred walls.

The word "whiskey" comes from the Celtic name for this drink - "water of life".

Whiskey is the national drink of the Anglo-Saxon countries. Whiskey production is especially developed in Great Britain, Ireland, the USA and Canada.

Alcoholic drink rum

Rum is a strong alcoholic drink obtained by aging rum alcohol in oak barrels. Rum alcohol is made from fermented sugar cane juice, cane syrup, cane sugar molasses, and other by-products of cane processing.

The resulting alcohol is poured into oak barrels and aged for 5 years. In the process of aging, aromatic, coloring and tannins pass into alcohol. Rum acquires a brown color with a golden hue and a slightly pungent taste. The alcohol content of the final product is below 95%.

Alcoholic drink cognac and brandy

Cognac is a strong alcoholic drink made from cognac spirit, which is obtained by distilling grape wines, followed by aging in oak barrels. Fresh cognac alcohol is colorless, slightly aromatic and sharp in taste. Cognac matures extremely slowly.

Brandy is a strong alcoholic drink obtained by distillation of any fortified juice of fruits or berries, followed by aging. In many countries brandy is known, prepared from apples - Calvados, from plums - slivovitz, from cherries - kirsch, from pears - William.

Brandy from grape wines does not require any clarification for the inscription on the label. Fruit brandy must be accompanied by appropriate explanations (apple brandy, apricot brandy, etc.).

Raw materials for brandy do not undergo thorough cleaning, as for cognac or vodka, and retain their fruity aroma. Brandy is aged both in oak barrels, charred from the inside (to improve the taste), and in other containers.

Before use, brandy is diluted and taken, as a rule, after a meal. It is also used as an ingredient in many cocktails. Strong brandy (80-90%) in undiluted form is not used at all.

In the gastronomic tradition, cognac and brandy are used as a digestif because they promote digestion (from the Latin word digestivus, which translates as a digestive aid).

For a large healthy man (90 kg), 100 ml of cognac is enough for pleasure. A larger dose will not give more pleasure and will only cause dope.

Weak green alcoholic drink

Weak alcoholic drinks in the form of liqueurs are prepared on rectified alcohol, alcoholized fruit and berry juices, infusions of herbs, seeds, flowers, sugar syrup, dye solutions and other substances. These products, in addition to the actual liquor, include drinks such as balm, gin, whiskey, rum.

Liqueur is a strong, sweet and spicy green alcoholic drink made from alcoholized juices, fruit or herb infusions, sugar syrup, aromatic infusions, etc.

Alcoholic drink tincture

Alcoholic drink tincture is prepared on alcoholic infusions of spicy and medicinal herbs, roots, fruits, essential oils, which give it a strong pleasant aroma.

Tinctures have a tonic effect on the body. Stimulate appetite. Alcohol content%

They are used mainly as flavorings for various cocktails.

grape alcoholic drink wine

Wine is probably the most ancient alcoholic drink, which for many centuries of its existence has found its own unique world, painted with many colors, shades of taste and aroma.

According to the method of production and composition, wines as alcoholic beverages are divided into table, fortified (strong and dessert), flavored and sparkling.

Most natural wines are dry. They are called so because all the sugar contained in them is "dry" fermented into alcohol. There are natural semi-dry or semi-sweet wines in which sugar still remains - due to the natural characteristics of a particular grape variety.

Sugar concentration, g/dm3

As can be seen from the table, ethyl alcohol in dry grape wines contains from 9 to 16%. But wine is not diluted alcohol. Grape wine, especially red wine, is a source of biologically important substances, the intake of which with other food products is limited or impossible.

According to the famous French physician Louis Pasteur, wine can be considered as the healthiest hygienic drink (of course, if it is not abused). But still, it is an alcoholic drink, which, one way or another, is a stumbling block: to recover or to sleep? There is a completely legitimate question about how much wine you need to drink for health benefits. Of course, it's all about the dose.

It is believed that the consumption of wine in an amount that is 5-7% for men and 2-4% for women of the caloric content of the daily diet, subject to a balanced diet, does not adversely affect the body.

Doctors have found that moderate consumption of natural wine reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by up to 35% and mortality due to coronary insufficiency by 15-60%. Two glasses of natural red wine compensate for the damage caused to blood vessels due to smoking one cigarette. In addition, drinking wine reduces the risk of cancer. It has been proven that red wine inhibits the development of leukemia, skin, breast, and prostate cancer.

However, we must remember that the regular intake of wine in large quantities is fraught with alcoholism. Despite the fact that treatment with alcoholic beverages can significantly improve health and at the same time give pleasure, you still need to approach this problem with a completely sober head.

Healing effect of light alcoholic beverages

The practice of treatment with the help of light alcoholic beverages has very ancient roots, this problem remains very relevant at the present time. Scientists from many countries have studied and are studying the effect of alcoholic beverages on the human body. Many serious studies have been carried out, the results of which often surprised the scientists themselves. So, it turned out that people who regularly consume alcoholic beverages in small doses (for example, a small glass of cognac or a glass of dry wine a day) get sick less and live longer than strict teetotalers. So, at the same time, the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease is reduced to 40%. Moreover, only natural alcohol has such a protective effect - wine, cognac, whiskey, grappa, chacha - in general, drinks obtained by conventional distillation. The whole point here is in the natural microimpurities that remain after distillation, but are no longer contained in pure alcohol. They provide a powerful protective effect of natural alcoholic beverages.

Wine, as well as spirits, are recommended for general strengthening of the body, as an analgesic, relaxing and sedative. Of course, everyone knows the antiviral and bactericidal effect of alcoholic beverages. For example, in wine, even diluted, after 10-30 minutes, the pathogens of cholera, typhoid, paratyphoid, polio viruses die. So a glass of good natural wine or cognac is an effective prevention of all kinds of infectious diseases and intestinal disorders.

The most positive effect of natural alcohol on brain activity. For example, a study by American scientists showed that older women who drink a little alcohol every day (a glass of wine, a mug of beer or a glass of cognac) suffer less from age-related deterioration in brain function than teetotalers. Memory problems and other mental disorders appear in them about 20% less often than in non-drinking women.

A glass of cognac or a glass of wine can also lower insulin levels and increase the sensitivity of cells to it. Before the invention of insulin for the treatment of diabetes, for example, mainly alcoholic beverages were used, most often strong wine.

Cognac and wine also help to lose weight by stimulating the secretion of the gallbladder and accelerating the digestion of fats. In general, alcoholic beverages in small doses remarkably activate digestion, food is better absorbed, and toxins and waste products are removed from the body in time.

Natural alcoholic beverages are especially useful for women during and after menopause. It was during this period, due to a sharp decrease in the level of female hormones estrogen, that the risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular insufficiency increases. And small doses of alcohol stimulate the production of estrogen by the adrenal glands, thereby supporting the protective functions of the female body.

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