Summary of downsides of alcohol consumption

[Buffafly]

As there have been numerous posts and discussions about the link between arrhythmia and alcohol, I thought this might be interesting.

The info comes from an article in the July 18 Sunday Times Magazine which you may be able to read online if you sign up for the weekly free article. I read it in the physical mag so can’t post a link.

Adam Kay (comedian and doctor who wrote ‘This is going to hurt’) writes about hangovers but explains why alcohol causes damage.

Firstly excess alcohol in the form of binge or continuous drinking damages your liver and increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and brain damage. However we are more concerned with very moderate intake.

Alcohol is a diuretic and as we know dehydration affects arrhythmia.

Alcohol triggers your immune system and causes inflammation as a virus would.

Alcohol irritates your digestive tract and increases stomach acid production.

White wine containing sulphites can cause headaches, stomach issues or asthma attacks.

Dark drinks such such as brandy and red wine contain congeners which can directly irritate the brain.

I didn’t know half of that so hope it is useful to others 😳 Obviously the digestive system effects would affect the vagus nerve and inflammation is another known trigger of arrhythmia.

Cheers 🥂

[BobD Volunteer]

Thanks Buff and I do agree with all that but sadly there are lots who won't.

[beach_bum]

I suggest, armed with this knowledge, one should never drink a drop. Those with afib or other internal medicine issues definitely a no. It's dangerous and will shorten your life.But, again, depending on the study, so is red meat, , strenuous exercise, bicycles, motorcycles, kayaking near great White Sharks, parachuting, contact sports and being in public with idiots who text and drive.

So, I shall take the advice of my doctor, and practice moderation in all my endeavors.

And they will never.take.my.chocolate.

[Auriculaire in reply to beach_bum]

Life is dangerous and forgoing completely the good things in life very difficult. For me good food and wine are essential. I limit my wine consumption to a tiny sherry glass with my main meal at home and have a little more if we eat out. I do not believe that this is a trigger for me and as for all the other negatives of alcohol I do not believe they affect light drinkers that much. On the whole life expectancy is greater and health better in European countries where wine consumption on a daily basis has been part of the culture for millenia. Perhaps because binge drinking has been rare until recently. Of course there are alcoholics but most people drink a glass or two of wine to accompany their meal. As for increasing stomach acid - this is probably only a bad thing if the acid is escaping the stomach. We need stomach acid to properly digest our food and kill off bugs.

[Buffafly in reply to Auriculaire]

I have a half glass of sherry every day while I’m cooking and a half glass of wine when we have a family dinner or the occasional half of ale - I didn’t intend to be a killjoy, only to help with understanding why some people with AF might be adversely affected.

[Buffafly in reply to beach_bum]

‘A little of what you fancy does you good’ - only problem with that sometimes is defining ‘little’. We have a dark chocolate most days after dinner but when our daughter visits we hide them……

[beach_bum in reply to Buffafly]

Our daughter is a skilled hunter....there is no hiding. 😆 At least the grandkids can't yet reach the good hiding spots 😏

[Buffafly in reply to beach_bum]

😂