How harmful is alcohol: figures, data, interesting facts

Cheers and cheers! We Germans like to have a drink. We indulge in a good 137 liters of alcoholic beverages per capita per year. That's a whole bathtub full. Too much, according to experts. Because alcohol is and remains a cytotoxin. But how harmful is alcohol really and what effects does it have on the human body? We have collected a few interesting facts about our favorite stimulant.

via Sabrina

06/09/2017, 11:22

Vier Hände mit Weißweingläsern beim Anstoßen — Cheers: Is a glass of wine or beer a day completely harmless? That's where opinions differ.

The liver is most affected

Regular consumption mainly endangers the liver. More than 90 percent of alcohol is broken down here. And that takes time: a small glass of beer (0.3 liters) keeps the liver busy for one to two hours. During this time, a large number of biochemical processes take place in the organ, such as the conversion of alcohol into acetaldehyde. The latter damages the cell function of the liver and is also responsible for the hangover the next morning. Alcohol prevents the liver from performing its usual tasks and fat breakdown is interrupted. As a result, fat accumulates in the liver.

Accepted in society despite the risks

It is assumed that alcohol can trigger more than 200 diseases and symptoms. High blood pressure and heart muscle disorders are among them. Regular consumption also increases the risk of cancer. For example, a quarter of a liter of wine a day can increase the risk of breast cancer by 25 percent. It is estimated that around 74,000 people in Germany die every year as a result of risky alcohol consumption. Although most people are aware of the dangers, drinking alcohol is still firmly anchored and accepted in German society.

Safe consumption for health reasons

So should we give up alcoholic drinks completely? Opinions differ widely here. Many experts recommend abstaining completely. Others argue that there is nothing wrong with a daily glass of red wine or beer. In this case, however, you should ideally not consume any alcohol at all two days a week. Your body will thank you for it.

Hidden per mille: would you have known?

Apple juice: When sugary fruit ferments, alcohol is produced. That's why apple juice also contains alcohol - but only very little, three grams per liter is permitted by law.

Non-alcoholic beer: Sounds strange, but it's true. Many non-alcoholic beers do contain 0.5 percent alcohol. This is usually only stated in the small print.

Bread: It's the yeast's fault. As the dough rises, the fermentation process also produces alcohol. It contains three grams per kilogram.

Sweets: Whether chocolate ice cream, praline, cookies, cake or jam. Alcohol can be detected in many sweet sins. The ingredient does not have to be listed because it is only used as a flavor enhancer.

Sauerkraut: Wine plays an important role in the production process. Every 100 grams of sauerkraut contains around 0.2 grams of alcohol.