In full and open disclosure, I didn’t steal a swig or a sip of any adult beverage until my Freshman year in college. That sober streak across 18 sober Octobers might have extended further if it was not for my older Norse roomie with his impressive tolerance of National Bohemian (aka “Natty Bo“)
brews. And, we were a tad naughty, as we snuck cheap Canadian whisky into the Navy-at-Pitt football game in our raingear covers. I recall a cheap buzz that afternoon in 1971, along with the emergence of an unworly freshman running back by the name of Tony Dorsett.
Is there strong merit in teetotaling across a lifespan? Or is there a case for moderated, occasional alcoholic drinks? Or both?
This is a sobering $64,000 question. For today, and our month of October (with its pumpkin ale :)) I’ll leave it to more science with this citation,
“more research is needed.”
My temples hurt when I review scores of reputable research articles that lean one way or the other. Or, those that take hardline views…
Let’s first consider what “sober” originally meant – stemming from the Latin term “sobrius.” It did not mean total avoidance of alcohol. It meant to avoid intoxication or drunkenness. Sip on that mouthful, please, as context.
As a redux, this word sober is an adjective that means not being intoxicated. It usually refers to the state of not having any measurable levels or effects from alcohol or drugs. That is, if Merriam Webster is to be trusted.
I don’t want to play lawyer here. Yet, I don’t want to bypass the fact that early alcoholic drinks like fermented wine and mead were concocted to make water safe. Any generated buzz was secondary.
You may recall from earlier posts of mine that I get satisfaction from my limited awareness of organic chemistry. [ If it is green, it is biology, if it smells, it is chemistry.]
What is the baseline chemical composition of the alcohol that Constellation, Guinness, Tito and hundreds of other providers market for our liking?
A one-word answer is Ethanol.
Peligro as a public service announcement…!
PELIGRO!
You don’t want to put the poisonous methanol to your lips by mistake. That move would be a very unhealthy mistake.
Back to our buzzy pal – ethyl alcohol… This little molecule of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen elements with its “mellow” chemical bonds – C2H5OH – can be intoxicating as I learned back in 1971, and more than a few times since.
Whether you abstain partially or totally from alcohol, it is very good to know your own limits. Plus, each of us should evaluate the possible pros and assured cons of ethanol intake (with the traces of other substances in beer, wine, and spirits) vis a vis healthspan and lifespan.
An obvious kicker, alcohol (and marijuana) impair driving. Here’s to robocars!
Here comes a not-so-obvious health risk with habitual drinking, hopefully in moderation. Ethanol can become addictive, and lead to serious health problems and conditions, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and insulin insensitivity.
- Did I mention that alcohol absorption is slow in our bodies? So – 3 am wake-ups and thumping hearts can result from late drinks and bits of awful afters. Lower heart rate variability (HRV) and higher resting heart rates at night are not healthy over the long-term. Trust me.
- Daily moderation is considered to be a lone beer, glass of wine or a small spirits shot for ladies. Due to our generally larger bodies and absorption potential, we men are considered to be moderate drinkers with 2 beers, 2 glasses of wine, or 2 sprit shots per diem.
We know of many elders and centenarians who drank or drink in moderation, hopefully like the friendly “social” drinkers in this happy hour image.
- Jeanne Calment, the 122-years young French woman, drank moderately (and smoked as well.)
- Comedian George Burns had a stiff drink most days on his way past the 100-year mark.
As with food intake, portions can be a big factor in weight/fat control. Alcohol is a fuel, after all, though ethanol is definitely not a macronutrient on which to count for healthy living.
“elevated blood alcohol concentrations at the time of exercise will impair performance.”
Even without hangovers, you cannot perform at your best when your sobriety is a question… In a Dose-Response sense, a threshold exists at which point alcohol becomes detrimental to aerobic performance.
Other takeaways from alcohol and athletic performance should be considered from this excellent National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA) article:
Alcohol’s path to oxidation is complex, and both short- and long-term use affects most systems of the body. Factors such as genetics, gender, amount of alcohol ingested, body mass, and nutrition status help explain the large variance in effects that alcohol has within and across individuals. From an athletic performance standpoint, the acute use of alcohol can influence motor skills, hydration status, aerobic performance, as well as aspects of the recovery process; consequently, influencing subsequent training and competitions. Chronic alcohol use can lead to difficulty in managing body composition, nutritional deficiencies, and depressed immune function, resulting in increased risk of injury and prolonged healing and return-to-play.” Period.
Slainte (perhaps).
ps – Non-alcoholic beverages are getting better! A Guinness “0” may have your name on its doily…
