Potential Alcohol Effects

Consuming alcohol is an individual choice and affects different people in different ways. Some studies have indicated that there may be a relationship between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of developing certain health issues. Heavy drinking on a regular basis has been connected to multiple illnesses, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, dependency, and a heightened risk of certain types of cancer. 'Binge' drinking, which involves consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time, is dangerous and can result in serious health issues. For some people moderate alcohol consumption may increase certain health risks and risks of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer. In addition to pace, other factors that may influence the level of risk include amount and frequency of consumption, age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle. To that end, you should consult with your health care provider or medical professional to help you understand whether moderate drinking is compatible with your personal health circumstances.

Processing of alcohol in the human body 

The way our bodies process alcohol varies from person to person. To better understand what happens in our body when we drink alcohol, the first thing to be aware of is that alcoholic beverages contain a substance called ethanol, which affects our brain and therefore can change how we think, feel, and move.   Genetic factors, such as the enzymes in our body that break down alcohol, as well as other factors like how much we drink, and our overall health may have an impact on how our bodies process alcohol.

When we consume alcohol, it goes into our stomach and is absorbed into our bloodstream. Some of the alcohol is initially absorbed in the stomach and the rest in the small intestine, and it takes only minutes for it to reach our bloodstream. Effects such as coordination problems and changes in emotions can occur with alcohol entering our blood and the extent will be impacted by the amount we consume and will vary person to person.

The liver breaks down most of the alcohol after it reaches into the bloodstream, while the rest is typically eliminated through urine, sweat or breath. Generally, our blood alcohol concentration from a drink peaks in about an hour, but this may vary depending on factors like gender, body size, menstrual cycle, previous alcohol exposure, the amount of alcohol, and whether we've had food or medication. Eating before drinking may slow down the process of alcohol reaching our bloodstream, so it's recommended not to drink on an empty stomach.

Drinking can result in symptoms the next day such as headache, nausea, thirst, sensitivity to light and noise, diarrhoea, and feeling down or irritable. Dehydration from alcohol and the effects of our bodies breaking down alcohol can contribute to these symptoms.

It's crucial to keep in mind that the process of absorbing and eliminating alcohol requires time and varies from person to person. Therefore, if you decide to drink, make sure to take it slow, limit your alcohol intake, stay hydrated, eat sufficient food, and give your body ample time to process it.

Drinking guidelines

Drinking guidelines

Drinking guidelines image

Medical professionals are best placed to provide guidance on your alcohol consumption. They can advise you throughout your adult life on how your current drinking patterns may impact your health, taking into account the latest medical research, your overall health status, your personal and family medical histories, and your environment, among other factors.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of links to guidelines on drinking and health promulgated by the governments of many countries. HEINEKEN does not endorse nor is responsible for the content of external links. This abbreviated list does not represent all available government resources on the subjects addressed, so please visit the applicable government resources in your country if you do not see your country’s governmental resources below. 

Among other sources on this topic, the World Health Organization and the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking have issued a variety of reports about alcohol and health:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/alcohol

https://www.iard.org/science-resources/type/reports

For a more complete list of drinking guidelines, please visit the following websites:

Summary of various nations’ guidelines for the general population

www.iard.org/science-resources/detail/Drinking-Guidelines-General-Popula...

Summary of various nations’ guidelines for pregnancy and breastfeeding

www.iard.org/science-resources/detail/Drinking-Guidelines-for-Pregnancy-...

Enjoy responsibly

Enjoy responsibly

When you drive never drink

When you drive never drink

Never drive under the influence of alcohol.
Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should abstain from alcohol consumption.
Legal Drinking Age

Legal Drinking Age

Always adhere to the legal drinking age and alcohol regulations of your country to ensure responsible and lawful consumption.
Low. Slow. No.

Low. Slow. No.

Drinking in moderation is the best way to experience the joy of true togetherness, think “Low. Slow. No”

Excessive alcohol consumption (such as binge drinking) can be particularly dangerous and lead to serious harm. The information provided on this website has been collected by HEINEKEN and is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any medical purposes. We make no representation that the information is complete. Please consult your health care provider or medical professional for additional information and/or to discuss your personal health circumstances.

Test your knowledge

Correct Answer:

If one beer a day is considered a responsible limit, I can consume seven drinks on a weekend day if I don’t drink during the week

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Even if you only drink one day per week, if you consume more than what’s suggested in your country’s drinking guidelines, it can be considered excessive drinking. For your country’s drinking guidelines, please visit this country guidelines section.

I am an experienced driver, so a couple of drinks before driving will not be a problem. 

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Even small amounts of alcohol may cloud your thinking, dim your vision, and slow your reflexes while driving. Your judgement may be impaired and potentially put you and others on the road at risk of death or life-altering injury. It is always better to play it safe by having a designated driver or a plan to spend the night. When you drive, never drink! 

Alcohol affects different people in different ways

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There may be many factors that may affect a person’s reaction to alcohol, for example body weight, metabolism, tolerance level, gender, age, and/or body chemistry. Also, there may be various genetic factors that impact how drinking alcohol affects individuals. It’s important to know your own limits and always be mindful of your personal consumption. To that end, you should consult with your health care provider or medical professional to help you understand whether drinking in moderation is consistent with your personal health circumstances.

Switching between beer, wine and spirits will affect you more than when you stick to one type of alcohol beverage. 

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Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) – the percentage of alcohol in your blood – and the speed and amount of alcohol you consume are the main factors that determine how alcohol affects your body, rather than the type of alcoholic drink itself. Pay attention to the serving amount when pouring high ABV products to make cocktails or mixes, as not measuring properly may result in over-consumption without realizing. Be mindful of the amount of alcohol you are consuming.

No matter what you’re drinking, pacing and moderation is key. 

Drinking plenty of water may help mitigate the effects of alcohol on your body 

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Drinking alcohol can lead to after-effects like headache, nausea, thirst, sensitivity to light and noise, and irritability. Dehydration and how the body processes alcohol contribute to these effects. Remember, alcohol absorption and elimination take time and vary from person-to-person, so if you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation, pace yourself, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, eat well, and give your body ample time to recover.

Sleep, coffee, exercise, a cold shower, or fresh air can help you sober up and remove alcohol from the bloodstream

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Nothing can speed up the breakdown of alcohol in your bloodstream except time as your body metabolizes the alcohol and this varies from person-to-person. Aways make sure to drink water and stay hydrated when consuming alcohol.

The information provided on this website has been collated by HEINEKEN and is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any medical purposes. We make no representation that the information is complete. Please consult your health care provider or medical professional for additional information and/or to discuss your personal health circumstances.