Why I Talk a Lot at Drinking Gatherings (Lee Jin-kyung's Health Tips)

How to Drink Alcohol Healthily and for a Long Time

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-kyung Lee] As social distancing measures are eased, more people are going out for gatherings and dinners. While enjoyable drinking occasions can enhance intimacy among people and have positive aspects, frequent heavy drinking and binge drinking can seriously harm our health. So, how should we drink alcohol properly? Before attending a drinking party, why not look up good information about alcohol in advance, build friendships during the gathering, and take care of your health at the same time?

Why I Talk a Lot at Drinking Gatherings (Lee Jin-kyung's Health Tips)

● Why is alcohol harmful to our health?

Alcoholic beverages contain alcohol, which, when consumed, is absorbed into the body through the liver and broken down there. Alcohol is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) secreted by the liver into acetaldehyde (ADLH), a dangerous substance that causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and mental confusion, and can lead to anemia, hallucinations, cognitive impairment, and mental disorders. Therefore, frequent drinking, heavy drinking, and binge drinking should be avoided for our health.

● Why do headaches occur after drinking? Is it okay to take painkillers right away?

Hangover headaches have no clearly established cause but are believed to result from multiple factors. The liver requires a lot of water to break down alcohol, leading to dehydration due to insufficient body fluids. To promote the breakdown of acetaldehyde, blood vessels dilate and blood flow increases, which can press on nerves and cause headaches. If you have a severe headache the day after drinking, is it okay to take painkillers? Taking acetaminophen-based painkillers like Tylenol carelessly can cause serious conditions such as liver damage and cirrhosis, so caution is necessary. Therefore, check the medication ingredients before taking them, and if severe headache symptoms persist for a long time, it is best to visit a hospital.

● Why does Makgeolli cause worse hangovers than Western liquor?

Although it varies by individual, many people feel worse hangovers the day after drinking Makgeolli compared to Western liquor. Unlike Western liquor, which undergoes multiple distillations to increase alcohol purity, Makgeolli is made through natural fermentation and contains various impurities. During fermentation, not only alcohol but also some methanol can be produced. Therefore, more time and energy are needed to recover from the damage caused by alcohol, methanol, and impurities, making the hangover feel more severe. Ultimately, the difference in brewing processes between the two types of alcohol results in different hangover experiences.

● Why do acne or pimples appear after drinking?

Acetaldehyde, a toxic substance produced during alcohol metabolism, worsens skin inflammation and causes excessive sebum secretion, blocking hair follicles, which can suddenly cause acne or pimples after drinking. How can these acne or pimples be calmed? Rather than forcibly squeezing or removing them, it is better to avoid touching them to prevent worsening. Applying cold compresses to the affected area can help reduce sebaceous gland activity.

● Should people with weak teeth or undergoing dental treatment avoid drinking?

It goes without saying that if you are undergoing dental treatment, you should absolutely abstain from alcohol. Especially after implant placement, drinking can slow recovery, so alcohol should be avoided. Wine and fruit wines have high sugar and acidity levels, which can easily erode teeth and cause discoloration. Therefore, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with water after drinking and not forget to brush your teeth. If brushing immediately is difficult, drinking milk is also a good option. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugars in alcohol and produce acid, but milk consumed after drinking can neutralize acid, helping prevent cavities and reduce bad breath.

● Why do eyes feel drier the day after drinking?

During alcohol metabolism in the liver, acetaldehyde is produced, which interferes with blood circulation in the eyes and disrupts nutrient supply. Excessive drinking accelerates eye aging and increases the risk of age-related eye diseases such as presbyopia, cataracts, and glaucoma. Reactive oxygen species generated during drinking also promote eye aging, so frequent drinking should be avoided for eye health.

● Does sauna help sober you up faster after drinking?

How can you sober up quickly? Many people mistakenly believe that exercising or going to a sauna to sweat helps eliminate alcohol through sweat and sober up faster. However, excessive sauna use or intense exercise can worsen dehydration and harm health. To replenish fluids lost due to drinking, it is better to drink plenty of lukewarm water and get sufficient rest, which can help sober up more effectively.

● Does facial flushing after drinking mean the liver is unhealthy?

Some people experience severe facial flushing immediately after drinking. This is called alcohol flush reaction and occurs due to a congenital deficiency or lack of alcohol dehydrogenase that breaks down acetaldehyde in the body. Acetaldehyde, a highly toxic and carcinogenic substance, is not broken down and spreads throughout the body via blood vessels, causing blood vessels to dilate, resulting in facial redness and shortness of breath. Therefore, if you experience facial flushing, it is healthier to avoid frequent drinking.

● Is there a way to drink alcohol while protecting liver health?

If you want to drink but keep your liver less damaged, it is important not to exceed the recommended daily alcohol intake. It is better to drink one type of alcohol rather than mixing several types like bomb cocktails. Also, start with low-alcohol beverages and progress to higher alcohol content drinks. Eating snacks or drinking water while drinking can slow the absorption amount and speed of alcohol, reducing harm to health. Talking a lot during drinking can also help the liver by promoting faster alcohol elimination.

● Which is better for hangover relief: ramen or honey water?

Many people look for spicy foods to relieve hangovers. However, spicy and hot foods like ramen and jjambbong irritate the stomach lining and increase the liver's burden, so they should be avoided. After drinking, it is better to drink beverages that quickly replenish sugar and electrolytes, such as honey water, sikhye (sweet rice drink), fruit juice, or ion drinks. For health, rather than spicy and greasy foods, consuming light plant-based protein foods rich in calcium and iron, such as seaweed, beans, and tofu, is preferable as they reduce stomach burden and help liver detoxification.

● Does vomiting after drinking help sober you up?

Vomiting after drinking can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. There is a muscle between the esophagus and stomach that tightens to prevent stomach acid from flowing backward. Alcohol weakens this muscle, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as sour or bitter taste, heartburn, and burning sensation. Therefore, if you have GERD symptoms, frequent drinking should be avoided. Some believe vomiting helps sober up quickly, but vomiting expels stomach contents along with gastric acid rather than alcohol itself, which can worsen esophageal damage. Forcing vomiting is not recommended.