What You Don't Know About Alcohol!

Why are we thirsty the day after a party?

 

Our bodies are dehydrated. 

 

Alcohol does more than just deplete our body's water reserves: Allen C.D. has shown that alcohol disrupts the function of the pituitary gland in the brain, leading to reduced secretion of the antidiuretic hormone. 

 

This hormone is involved in the reabsorption of water by the body in the kidneys. 

Simply put: The body excretes more water than it takes in. The person then experiences symptoms of dehydration, such as fatigue and, above all, headaches. Don't wait until you're thirsty to rehydrate, because by then it's too late. 

 

 

Why do we get headaches?

 

Headaches after drinking alcohol can have several causes.  

 

• Alcohol causes severe dehydration. 

 

• The sugar in alcohol stimulates the body to produce insulin, which causes our blood sugar to drop. Hypoglycemia leads to headaches. 

 

• The accumulation of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Acetaldehyde is an intermediate product formed in the liver during the breakdown of alcohol. It is also responsible for hangover symptoms, such as headaches.

 

Although alcohol is considered a sedative, drinking it disrupts our sleep. 

 

Alcohol binds to numerous receptors in the central nervous system, such as GABAAreceptors (the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain). Excessive consumption therefore has a sedative effect on the central nervous system, and this affects sleep in several ways: 

 

Thakkar M.M. et al. (2015) have shown that alcohol affects sleep in several ways: 

• Sleep Cycle Disruption
• Less REM sleep and disrupted deep sleep
• Waking Up at Night 
• Worsening of certain sleep disorders (snoring or sleep apnea) 

 

Alcohol consumption therefore affects sleep quality. *

 

Why are we tired?

 

The fatigue can be explained by a combination of three factors:

 

 

Why do we crave fatty foods?

There are two reasons behind this behavior:

 

• Costardi J.V. et al. (1992) have shown that alcohol activates the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, triggering hedonic hunger. In other words, a hunger that is not based on a genuine need, accompanied by a preference for foods that give us pleasure—often fatty and/or sweet.
  (this phenomenon is also observed after cannabis use) **

 

When we drink alcohol, the inhibitory threshold in our brain is lowered. This means we give free rein to our emotions and desires, without regard for consequences or context. Biologically, alcohol’s disinhibiting effect can be explained by the inhibition of two neurotransmitters: norepinephrine and serotonin. As mentioned earlier, alcohol acts as an inhibitor by binding to GABA receptors. Here, it affects norepinephrine and serotonin and disrupts their release. 

 

- Norepinephrine controls our responses to danger. 

- Serotonin helps regulate emotions and mood.

 

Cains S. et al. (2017) have shown that alcohol affects the hypothalamus, particularly the Agrp neurons. Since these neurons are involved in regulating the sensation of hunger, alcohol’s effect on them reduces our sense of fullness. 

 

Normally, it helps us control our food cravings and our desire for high-calorie foods. But after a few glasses, the satiety barrier breaks down ***

 

Is there a type of alcohol that you should avoid?

 

A 2009 study by Brown University showed that dark spirits contain more impurities than clear ones.

Gin, Vodka, Sake, Red Wine, Beer, Whiskey

These impurities are associated with more severe hangover symptoms. 

In addition, you should choose a high-quality product, because the quality of the alcohol plays a crucial role. Poorly distilled spirits, for example, contain other types of alcohol such as methanol, which can be dangerous in high doses.

 

Why is alcohol metabolized differently from person to person? 

 

Regardless of the amount consumed, the liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per unit of time. This process reaches saturation quickly, and the rate of metabolism depends primarily on the amount of metabolizing enzymes (cytochromes) in the liver. An interindividual factor determines this amount, which varies from person to person and appears to be genetically determined.

Allen, C. D., (2011). Immediate and prolonged effects of alcohol exposure on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in adult and adolescent rats.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 25S50-S60.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2011.01.016

Cains, S., (2017). Agrp neuron activity is required for alcohol-induced overeating. Nature Communications, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14014

Costardi, J. V. V., (2015). A review on alcohol: from the central action mechanism to chemical dependency. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira., 61(4), 381-387. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.61.04.381

Thakkar, M. et al, (2015). Alcohol disrupts sleep homeostasis. Alcohol, 49(4), 299-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.07.019

 

* https://www.educalcool.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Alcool-et-sommeil.pdf

 

** According to a study published in the journal *Sleep*

*** A second study, published in the journal *Health Psychology*,

https://www.doctissimo.fr/sante/atlas-corps-humain/question-corps-humain/manger-gras-apres-une-soiree