Do You need Alcohol?

You can make alcohol from almost anything edible. Through a process called fermentation, sugars are converted into ethanol alcohol. This chemical is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and has a powerful effect on the body and mind. Stronger alcohol, called sprits, and often called hard liquor, are made through distillation in which alcohol is heated to concentrate the ethanol. Eifferent societies use different ingredients and processes to make alcohol. In southern Europe, grapes are traditinally fermented to make wine-a process first introduced by the Romans.

Nothern European countries are famous for their beers brewed from grain and hops. Grapes are also the main ingredient of another famous French spirit called brandy. Other spirits include gin, vodka, and whisky.

How to affect the body?

Although it comes in different forms and strengths, alcohol has basically the same effects when you drink it. At first these may be pleasant. You may feel rather warm, light-headed, and relaxed.

However, the more you drink, the worse you will feel. As more alcohol enters your bloodstream, you will find it increasingly difficult to perform physical tasks. You will lose your coordination and sense of balance, knocking things over and feeling unsteady on your feet. Your speech will become slurred and difficult for other people to understand.

If you drink a lot very quickly, alcohol can kill. It can affect the brain so badly that the heart or breathing stops. Drinking too much can make people feel very sick the next day, and it can take days for their bodies to recover.

Liver?

The liver is the organ in your body that breaks down and eliminates poisons like alcohol. It has been likened to a car with one gear that just goes at one speed-the liver can burn up only one unit of alcohol an hour. Liver cells that have too much alcohol to process die and are replaced by fatty tissue.

Drinkig heavily over a number of years puts great strain on the liver, which can become so scarred that it no longer works properly. This is known as cirrhosis. Heavy drinking also contributes to other conditions like heart disease, hepatitis, and stomach problems such as bleeding and ulcers. It can cause men to become sexualy impotent and by interfering with th ebalance of hormones in the body alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in women. Mothers who drink heavily when pregnant can severely damage their unborn children.

People who drink heavily for a long time can become addicted to alcohol. those who develop an emotional or physical dependency on drink are known as alcoholics. Alcoholism usually takes years to develop. Early signs include constantly needing to have liquor available and being unusually resistant to its effects. In the later stages, however, people gradually lost control over their drinking. Alcoholics often suffer from unpleasant conditins like shaking, various body pains, and redness in the face. They can experience severe withdrawal effects if they suddenly stop. Unlike coming off other drugs, sudden alcohol withdrawal can actually kill.

Treatment programs for alcohol addiction can be very effective. Some people go to drying out clinics for help, others join groups like Alcoholics Anonymous for support in giving up alcohol. Alcoholics Anonymous has over two million members throughout the world.

Wine cooler - This is fruity drink with alcohol added (alcohol content is 4%-8% only)

Beer - This is Fermented mixture of grains and water (alcohol 3%-10% only)

Wine - This is Fermented grape juice (alcohol content 8%-14% only)

Liqueurs - This is sweetened and flavored spirits (alcohol content 20%-40%)

Spirits _ This is alcoholic drink concentrated by distillation (alcohol 38%-45%)