Alcohol

DECISION TO DRINK?
INTO THE WORLD OF ALCOHOL.

WHAT CHA KNOW ABOUT ALCOHOL?
P.S. know your drink before you drink. ;)

Types of Alcoholic Drinks
There are three general categories of alcoholic drinks:
  • BEERS
  • WINES
  • SPIRITS 
BEERS
 
INFO #1:
It is widely consumed throughout the world and is a part of several world cultures. Beer is produced by fermenting and brewing different starches of cereals like wheat, maize, corn and rice. But the most popular is malted barley. To lend beer its characteristic bitter taste, hop cones are added. The alcoholic content of beer is around 2% to 4%, or it can go up to 20% as well. 

INFO #2:
The two main types of beers are Lager and Ale. The difference between Lager and Ale beer is the different temperatures at which they are fermented. Ale beers are fermented between temperatures of 60-70 degrees F, where as Lager beers are fermented between 50-58 degrees F. This leads to different levels of ester compounds which either lend a rounded fruitiness to the drink (ales) or a clean, crisp and angular feel (lager).



WINES
 
Info #1:
Wines are mostly made from grapes. These grapes are crushed using different types of yeast. The yeast is responsible for converting the sugars from the grapes into alcohol. The fermentation process that is involved in brewing wines is longer. It could be aged for several months or even years. The more it is fermented, the better it's flavors run. The alcoholic content of wines is around 9%-16%.

Info #2:
Wines can be divided into two categories Red Wine and White Wine after the types of grapes that are used to make them or the region in which they are made. The determining factor of whether a wine is red or white depends on if the skin of the grape is included in the fermentation process or left out. 

Info #3:
The types of white wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Muscat, Pinot grigio, etc.
The types of red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot noir, Zinfandel, etc. 

 
 SPIRITS 

Info #1:
Spirits is the type of drinks that are unsweetened and distilled. They are made by distillation of an already fermented product that results in the formation of alcohol. The content of alcohol in spirits is 20% and above.

Info #2:
These drinks have a high alcoholic content in them and therefore can 'hit' the person very hard if not consumed with care, which is why spirits are also known as hard drinks. The effect of these drinks can be lessened by diluting them with certain mixers like soda, energy drink, aerated drinks or bottled water. They can also be consumed in their purest form without mixing them with anything.
Info #3:
The popular types of spirits:

WHISKEY is made by fermenting different cereals such as corn, wheat, barley and rye. The alcoholic content of whiskey is about 40%-50%.

RUM distilled drink that is made from fermenting sugarcane or molasses. The alcoholic content of rum is 40%-55%.

BRANDY is made by fermenting fruit juices. The alcoholic content of brandy is 30%-60%.

GIN is made by fermenting juniper berries. The alcoholic content of gin is 37%-40%.

LIQUEURS are made by adding flavors like fruits, herbs, creams and spices. They are usually sweet and have an alcoholic content of 15%-30% but it may even go up to 55%.

TEQIULA is made from a plant called the blue agave that is mainly harvested in the Mexican country. The alcoholic content is 35%-40%.


Note:
The higher the content of alcohol, the stronger the drink. Therefore, one has to be extremely careful in the way they consume alcohol. An occasional is usually acceptable, but taking it to the levels of addiction is never appropriate.
CHEERS!

ending the introduction with some cheeky stuff:
so, you think the drinks control you? think again ;)


"The younger you are when you start drinking, the greater your chance of becoming addicted to alcohol at some point in your life. More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become alcoholics.”

WHAT CAN ALCOHOL DO TO ME?
 The effects of alcohol vary depending on a number of factors including:
1.     type and quantity of alcohol consumed
2.     age, weight and gender
3.     body chemistry
4.     food in the stomach
5.     drinking experience
6.     situation in which drinking occurs

  • Heavy drinking can cause Liver cirrhosis and cancer
  • Bad breath, HANGOVERS and lots of calories.
  • Excessive drinking can decrease the amount of testosterone in a man's body and cause impotence.
  • Alters your perceptions and emotions, vision, hearing, and coordination.
  • Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgement which can lead to risky behaviors, including practicing unprotected sex. This can lead to acquiring HIV/AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancy.
  • Alcohol also hinders coordination, slows reaction time, dulls senses, and    blocks memory functions. 
  • Long-term effects of heavy alcohol use include loss of appetite, vitamin deficiencies, stomach ailments, sexual impotence, liver damage, heart damage, central nervous system damage and memory loss.

SO THEN... WHY DO PEOPLE DRINK?
1.     Liquor stores, bars, and alcoholic beverage companies make drinking seem attractive and fun. 
2.     Peer Pressure: the coolest kids in town are always drinking and getting drunk
3.     They're curious — they want to know what it's like to drink alcohol.
4.     They believe it will make them feel good 
5.     See it as a way to reduce stress/ "escape" from problems
6.     To feel older


The BAD SIDE of Alcohol: Intoxication risks

Intoxication is the most common cause of alcohol-related problems, leading to injuries and premature deaths. As a result, intoxication accounts for two-thirds of the years of life lost from drinking. Alcohol is responsible for:
  • 30% of road accidents
  • 44% of fire injuries
  • 34% of falls and drownings
  • 16% of child abuse cases
  • 12% of suicides
  • 10% of industrial accidents

Some TIPS when Drinking (if you decide to)
  • EAT before you drink
  • space your drinks with water and other non-alcohol drinks
  • organise safe transport (e.g. utilise the bus service)
  • say "NO" when you know you've had enough
  • don't leave your drinks unattended
  • don't mix alcohol with other drugs!
  • don't drink at all before undertaking any risky activities (e.g. swimming, driving or boating)
  • support your friend's decision if they choose not to drink

"Do I have a Drinking Problem?"
If you are worried that you or your friend might have a drinking problem, consider the following:

-you cannot control how much you drink(it just happens!)
-you think alcohol helps you to escape from your troubles
-your personality totally changes once you start drinking
-blackouts happen to you: you don't know what on earth happened when drinking!
-you have problems at school or with friends or family because of drinking
-your family and friends have voiced concern about your drinking

if any of these are applicable to you, it is highly likely you DO have a problem with drinking. There are MANY others like you and help is available. Talk a school counselor, friend or family:)


Read more here.


Here's a touching poem shared by an annonymous person about drink driving and what it can do...

I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the road,
the other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say,
the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom.. I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank and I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?


Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)