Drink at a moderate pace and have a pleasant time

There are also risks associated with drinking.

In order to enjoy it healthily, it is important to have a correct understanding of the risks associated with drinking, such as health problems caused by drinking too much, the dangers of drink-driving, and alcohol-related harassment.

There are various states of intoxication, such as being tipsy, drunk, or dead drunk.

We will explain the relationship between blood alcohol concentration and intoxication, as well as the mechanism of sobering up, which is basic knowledge of the risks of drinking alcohol.

When you drink alcohol, about 20% of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and about 80% in the small intestine, getting into the bloodstream and being transported to the liver via the portal vein.

The liver begins to break down the alcohol, but as it cannot be broken down immediately, most of the alcohol is sent to the heart and then to the brain and the rest of the body. When the alcohol reaches the brain via the bloodstream, it numbs the brain and creates a state of drunkenness. This is what it means to be “drunk.”

It is said that it takes about 30 minutes to 2 hours for the alcohol you drink to reach the brain, so you don't get drunk immediately after drinking alcohol.

The degree of intoxication is determined by the concentration of alcohol in the brain. However, it is impossible to actually measure the concentration in the brain, so the degree of intoxication is determined by the concentration of alcohol in the blood instead. (The way people become intoxicated varies from person to person.)

Even if you drink the same amount of alcohol, the blood alcohol concentration will be lower in people who weigh more, i.e., those with more blood. The ability to process alcohol also differs depending on body weight. In general, the alcohol processing capacity of a person weighing 60-70kg is about 5g of pure alcohol per hour. This is equivalent to about a quarter of a medium-sized bottle of beer or a quarter of a double shot of whiskey. In other words, it takes about four hours to process the alcohol in a bottle of beer, a double shot of whiskey, or a go of sake (180ml).

Drinking alcohol in moderation can lead to a rich and enjoyable life.

Since you may have more drinking occasions in your life, it is important to know the right amount and pace for you.

The effects of drinking alcohol vary from person to person, and the impact you receive will differ depending on your age, gender, constitution, etc.

Please decide on an amount that suits you and try to drink it in the way that doesn’t impact your health. When drinking, it is important to be aware of the amount of pure alcohol (g) contained in the alcohol and to keep track of your alcohol intake.

In addition, it has been suggested that the rate at which alcohol is broken down slows down in the elderly and that they can become intoxicated even when their blood alcohol concentration is not high, so the amount of alcohol consumed by people aged 65 and over should be reduced.

Women metabolize alcohol more slowly than men, and even if they drink the same amount per body weight, they are said to be more likely to suffer alcohol-related organ damage.

Furthermore, it is recommended that people who experience a flushing reaction^* after drinking alcohol should reduce their alcohol intake, as their bodies take longer to break down alcohol.

The amount of pure alcohol is expressed in grams (g) and is calculated using the following formula, considering the specific gravity of alcohol.

For example, the amount of pure alcohol contained in a 500ml bottle or a tall can of beer with an alcohol content of 5% is:

500 (ml) x 0.05 x 0.8 = 20 (g).

This is not a recommendation for people who do not drink to drink this amount.

The effect of alcohol on the body and mind is based on the amount of pure alcohol consumed, not the amount of the drink consumed.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has set the amount of alcohol that increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases as an average daily intake of pure alcohol of 40g or more for men and 20g or more for women.

It is known that continuing to drink in this way increases the risk of not only lifestyle-related diseases but also other health problems and serious social problems such as violence, abuse, and accidents.

Approximate amount of pure alcohol: 20g

Moderate amounts of alcohol can help relieve tension, facilitate communication, and bring joy and enrichment to our daily lives. On the other hand, inappropriate drinking can cause various problems for the drinker, their family, and society. In order to enjoy alcohol for a long time, please keep the following five points in mind.

It is important to drink in moderation. Never force people who can't drink or who are not heavy drinkers to drink.

To prevent getting drunk, it is important to keep yourself well-hydrated while having a drink . By drinking alcohol and water (chaser) alternately, you can reset your sense of taste and also ease the irritation of alcohol on your stomach and intestines. This also helps to prevent a sudden rise in the alcohol concentration in your blood so that you can enjoy a tipsy feeling for longer. Also, because alcohol has a diuretic effect, it can easily cause dehydration. Make sure you drink plenty of water to help your body flush out alcohol from your system.

Take two days off from drinking alcohol a week to look after your body.

A hangover is an unpleasant condition that occurs due to a combination of factors, including the fact that the liver cells are unable to sufficiently process the harmful substance acetaldehyde due to the large amount of alcohol consumed, as well as damage to the stomach and intestines caused by alcohol, and dehydration.

The best way to prevent a hangover is to “stick to your limit.” Drinking until late at night or drinking heavily is a no-no. Also, if you drink on an empty stomach, the alcohol will be absorbed quickly, causing you to feel sick and get a hangover. Try to drink while eating. When eating, try to eat mainly foods high in protein and vitamins.

It takes time for the body to break down alcohol. Get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of water. It is also recommended to eat foods that contain sugar and vitamin C, which help to break down acetaldehyde.

Some say to get rid of a hangover drinking is helpful, but this will only increase the alcohol concentration in the blood again, so even if you temporarily forget the unpleasant symptoms, you will often be hit by even worse discomfort later, so you should never do this.

These are the 10 Rules for Moderate Drinking to help you responsibly enjoy alcohol.