How bad is alcohol for you?

[Matt Rogers]

Social drinking is commonly accepted and being teetotal usually gets frowned upon. The government is always making out that there is nothing wrong with a few drinks.

But I was reading a piece by a doctor saying he didn't drink and he believed that it was the cumulative effects of alcohol (with its effect of reducing testosterone and increasing oestrogen) that often explained why men saw their sexual interest and performance decline with age. And naturally it also explains the beer bellies!

I see lots of girls in my area who are stunning in their late teens but I see very few girls in my area in their mid twenties who still look good. Of course my country has a reputation for huge levels of drinking. And it is my opinion that alcohol has a lot to do with why a lot of girls fade so fast with age.

But I can't deny the fact that alcohol has almost magic abilities to loosen me up on a date or in a club and one of the most reliable ways of hooking up with a girl is getting drunk together. And most girls aren't going to let go and drink to the level where they become a lot hornier if the guy opposite them is drinking juice.

What do you think is an optimal level of drinking from your own experience (i dont really hold that much stock in government surveys and stuff)...that does not lead to declines in your health (or sexual performance over time) but allows you to maintain the social benefits

 

[Matt281]

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/low-carb-alcohol/

Good info here.

 

[runner83]

Alcohol is bad for you if you drink too much, but it has been an integral part of human interactions for thousands of years.

From a muscle building perspective, it has the following affects:

* Negatively affects protein synthesis
* Lowers testosterone and increases estrogen
* Dehydrates you
* Disrupts your sleep
* Depletes your body of vitamins and minerals
* Increases fat storage

So, it all comes down to finding a balance.

If hooking up with some drunk chick (10th or 20th in line?) is your priority, then drink a lot.

If your priority is to maximize muscle growth, then don't be afraid to drink in moderation, but never to excess.

No easy both ways answer unfortunately!

 

[mikeyb]

It also depends what kind of alcohol. Wine (red or white) seems to have some positive effects when taken in moderation, according to this.

 

[TheBucketOfTruth]

I had quit drinking for a while and now just drink beer once in a while. As far as alcohol's effects on your game, for me (and probably most people) I will get much better with women when drinking to a point. If you exceed a certain amount, you will just be sloppy and only girls who are too drunk to notice will still want to hear what you're saying. I will say that when drinking and partying I just end up hooking up with girls without even really putting in any effort. When I'm sober, it's a lot more work. Part of that is the circumstances being more favorable to hooking up combined with the fact that alcohol will just make you have a good time and wash away your insecurities. I try not to use it as a crutch too often because I don't want to become reliant on it.

 

[jasikajack]

It affects both the body and the mind,extended alcohol abuse can cause blood conditions including several forms of anemia and blood clotting abnormalities,it affect liver,kidney or other body part and human bodies regard ethanol as a poison, and have many mechanisms to try to deal with it and render it harmless.

 

[kennymevrick]

Alcohol in large amounts can be very bad for you. Alcohol can damage your stomach, liver, kidneys, and many other organs. If consumed under the age of approximately 25 years old the brain can sustain permanent damage as well because it has not fully developed.

 

[Jariel]

I don't touch the stuff personally, which is really abnormal in the binge culture of the UK these days. To me it's a logical decision not to put poison in my body, but what really gets on my nerves is this attitude that I must be gay or I'm not man enough because I don't drink. I don't have a problem with people drinking in moderation, it's their choice, but very few people seem to respect my choice not to drink alcohol.

It's depressing how many people I know consider "getting drunk" their number one recreational activity/hobby. Many of these same people were once slim and attractive, but have deteriorated into fat slobs with no pride and spend many a Saturday night covered in vomit and soaked in urine.

While I do understand that alcohol can loosen people up and give them confidence, I don't get why people take it to the extreme, compete with each other on how much they can drink and binge themselves sick.

 

[user43770]

Many of these same people were once slim and attractive, but have deteriorated into fat slobs with no pride and spend many a Saturday night covered in vomit and soaked in urine.

I'm offended by this comment; very rarely am I covered in vomit.

 

[FairShake]

being teetotal usually gets frowned upon.

I think you need new friends.