In an hour, an adult’s body can process about 10 g of pure ethanol – about half a bottle of beer, without harming the liver. Maria Prashnova, a gastroenterologist, hepatologist, associate professor at St. Petersburg State University, head of the EXPERT clinic, told socialbites.ca about this.
“There are no alcoholic beverages that are safe for the liver – the dose and speed of consumption are important. Units are an easy way to express the amount of pure alcohol in a beverage. One unit is equivalent to 10 grams of pure ethanol, which is the approximate amount of alcohol the average adult can process in one hour. The number of units in a drink depends on the size and strength of the drink – for example, half a liter of beer contains about 2 units of alcohol, and half a liter of vodka or cognac contains 20 units, ”she explained.
Prashnova added that the main liver-damaging ingredient in all types of alcohol is ethanol. A relatively safe limit for health is set at 14 alcoholic units per week. It is recommended that men drink less than 3 drinks a day and women no more than 2 to be completely sober at least 2 days a week.
“At the same time, regular alcohol consumption, even in small doses, increases the risk of fatty liver disease. This is especially influenced by the calorie content of the drink. To reduce risks, it is worth giving up cocktails with a lot of syrup and often sweet alcohol, and taking into account alcoholic beverages when calculating the daily calorie intake, ”Prashnova added.
You can reduce the harm of alcohol by replacing alcoholic beverages with soft drinks and snacking on foods that contain fiber, beneficial trace elements and unsaturated fats – fruits and berries, vegetables and sea fish. But it is better to avoid cheese and processed meat – they are rich in fat and very high in calories. With diagnosed alcoholic liver damage, alcohol should be completely abandoned – this is the only way to prevent deterioration and minimize the risk of developing cirrhosis.