Does alcohol thin the blood or thicken it? What alcohol thins the blood: vodka, beer, wine?

Does alcohol thin the blood or thicken it? Does it facilitate the passage of blood through the vessels, and can ethyl alcohol protect against strokes and heart attacks? Let's look into this issue.

Many alcohol lovers try to whitewash the situation and idealize their craving for alcoholic beverages, presenting it as a concern for a healthy lifestyle. They can give different arguments: alcohol supposedly thins the blood and replaces “heart” aspirin.

There is also an argument that in order to overcome increased blood viscosity, it is necessary to regularly drink good wine. And, of course, the most favorite aphorism says that alcohol in small doses is harmless in any quantity.

In fact, it has long been proven that alcoholic drinks consumed regularly lead to an increase in blood pressure. A recent Canadian study found that regular alcohol consumption increased the incidence of hypertension by 4% in men aged 60 years.

Changes in blood when drinking alcohol

Proponents of treating blood vessels with alcohol claim that if you drink a small amount per day, problems with blood vessels will go away. Blood pressure decreases. People suffering from high blood pressure feel better. The most suitable drink is wine.

Strong alcoholic drinks are not suitable, since they need a good fatty, high-calorie snack. But smoked, fatty, high-calorie foods promote the formation of cholesterol plaques, negating the effect of ethanol.

Red wine is the oldest alcoholic drink that has been made since ancient times. Its beneficial and harmful properties are still being studied. It has been known as a medicine since the time of Hippocrates, who used it to treat headaches. In the army of Julius Caesar it helped against intestinal disorders.

The wine contains fruit acids, which have a dilating effect on blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Only dry wine is suitable; sweet and semi-sweet wines are not suitable. By increasing heart rate, they will have the opposite effect.

Scientists have discovered that people who regularly drink alcohol do not suffer from atherosclerosis as a result of the breakdown of cholesterol plaques. Ethanol, entering the blood system, reduces the tone of the walls of blood vessels, which is why the blood begins to thin out.

This process, depending on what you drink, begins to act immediately and lasts up to several hours. To obtain a positive result, men need 1 gram of ethanol per kilogram of weight, women even less.

Depending on the amount drunk, alcohol in small doses thins or thickens the blood when the safe dose is exceeded. The opposite effect begins. Trying to return the body to its normal state, the brain sends signals, as a result of which a sharp spasm occurs and the blood vessels narrow.

Alcohol has the ability to attract water and thereby thicken the blood. Once it enters the circulatory system, it reacts with its components, causing general dehydration.

The blood thickens, forming flakes that can clog small vessels and capillaries.

According to statistics, after drinking alcohol, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes increases by 3-4 times, after a stroke by 70-80%.

Thick blood has a detrimental effect on all organs and the general well-being of a person. To avoid and prevent diseases, humanity is constantly looking for ways to reduce viscosity. You can achieve good results using folk methods and medications.

Review of 4 specific drinks

It is known that different alcoholic drinks have different effects on the body as a whole and the blood viscosity indicator separately. The same “strength” of alcohol-containing drinks will not mean an identical effect on the body.

Factors such as the components of the alcoholic beverage, sugar content, the distillation and manufacturing process, compliance with production conditions and technologies, etc. also have a significant impact. So what kind of alcohol will be the most beneficial?

Wine

Wine is a traditional drink for healthy people. It was this fact that was the basis for studying the effect of wine on the body. Over the course of numerous studies, scientists have obtained, interpreted and systematized extensive knowledge about wine. In the context of the benefits and harms of wine, it makes sense to pay attention to the following facts:

wine thins the blood, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, improves blood flow;
Wine dilates blood vessels and prevents blood clots.
when choosing between red and white, for the benefit of the heart and blood vessels, preference should be given to red wine;
the healthiest wine is dry;
consumption should be limited to 175 - 350 ml during one feast;
daily dose of dry red wine for preventive medicinal consumption - 175 ml;
It is better to drink wine with products that enhance its taste and beneficial properties;
in most cases, red wine is healthier for men, white wine for women;

Cognac

Cognac is another drink that is beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Its action is somewhat similar to the action of wine, but there are also significant differences:

Firstly, the alcohol content differs. Due to this difference, the recommended dosage will be reduced to 50-100 ml for one feast;
secondly, cognac more clearly counteracts the development of cholesterol deposits;
thirdly, cognac, subject to limited consumption, has a gentler effect on the nervous system and improves the quality of sleep;
A limited amount of cognac thins the blood and leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

Vodka

The disadvantage of vodka is that this drink requires the most moisture when excreted from the body. As a result, not only severe dehydration occurs, but also the level of blood viscosity increases significantly . Thus, vodka thickens the blood. In addition, the risk of blood clots increases.

Despite this, in small doses, vodka is considered by experts to be a completely acceptable drink for consumption. It should be preferred to other wheat drinks: whiskey and low-quality moonshine.

Beer

Traditionally perceived as a light and almost harmless drink, beer has a negative effect on the body. No, of course, a glass of beer on a hot summer day will not only not do much harm, but will also contribute to the secretion of gastric juice and better tolerance of the heat. At the same time, copious and frequent use of “foam” is very harmful. Harm is caused by the following factors:

the density of beer and traditionally consumed large volumes of this drink make it difficult to remove it from the body;
substances contained in beer lead to a decrease in testosterone levels;
beer consumption leads to blood thickening and the development of hypertension;
Abuse of beer threatens the development of “beer” (“pork”) heart syndrome.

Increase in viscosity with reasonable alcohol consumption

If you drink alcohol within reasonable limits, large clots will not form, but this does not mean that there is no danger. Blood becomes thick and viscous due to lack of water.

Because of this, it flows through the vessels too slowly.

This is also fraught with dangerous consequences. Thus, due to the low speed of blood movement through the vessels, many organs receive less oxygen and, therefore, cannot work at full capacity. Carbon dioxide accumulates in tissues and cells, which also leads to a deterioration in their functioning.

In addition, drinking alcoholic beverages also affects the composition of the blood. Thus, laboratory tests confirm that after drinking even small doses of alcohol, the total number of red blood cells decreases. These red blood cells do not have a nucleus, but carry bulky hemoglobin molecules. It is this substance that is responsible for the implementation of the gas exchange function. Due to the lack of red blood cells, it becomes smaller, which also leads to a deterioration in the supply of oxygen to the organs.

Thickening process

After about half an hour, signs of a hangover begin to appear: the feeling of euphoria disappears, swelling and a feeling of thirst appear, and a headache begins.

This symptomatology occurs as a result of the body’s reflex action on low blood pressure in the form of increased release of norepinephrine, hypertensin, and renin. These processes help restore the tone of the muscle tissue of blood vessels, narrow them, increase blood pressure and worsen blood circulation. In addition, impaired kidney function during alcohol poisoning provokes disruptions in water and electrolyte balance.

As a result of the breakdown of ethanol, in addition to practically harmless substances, acetaldehyde is produced, which has a strong toxic effect. To get rid of poison, the body requires fluid, which is taken from the tissues, which leads to thickening of the blood and a change in its consistency.

The effect of alcohol on the blood is also revealed in its composition:

there is an increase in the quantitative indicators of triacylglycerols and the percentage of lactate;
the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells, glucose, and urea concentration decreases.

Drinking alcohol also leads to platelet aggregation, which increases the risk of blood clots.

In addition to the negative effect on the blood, drinking alcohol affects the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and cardiovascular system.

Blood thinning

How to help blood return to normal faster:

Eat or drink foods that contain vitamin C, it will quickly dissolve the remaining alcohol.
Eat plants that contain antioxidants (parsley). It is better to immediately get rid of the consequences of intoxication, then the thickened blood will recover faster. Some people make a decoction for themselves, combining the need for liquid with a useful plant.
Doctors also offer a number of different medications that can quickly remove the remaining alcohol.

Previously, the best remedy was considered to be direct dilution of the blood through intravenous administration of the required amount of fluid, but recent studies have proven the dangers of this method. After all, the internal elements will still remain blood clots, and artificially liquefied blood will drive them through the vessels faster, this will increase the risk of blockage. Thick blood should renew itself, it’s safer. You can use herbs and decoctions that will dilute it naturally and gently.

Rules of use and daily intake

The culture of cognac consumption is important.
Firstly, the dosage must be observed. For healthy people, the daily intake for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes should be limited to 50 ml, and it is better to drink 25 ml rather than in one gulp.

During a feast, you can afford 100-150 ml, but this will already exceed medical recommendations.

Secondly, the best effect is achieved by consumption in the fresh air, in a pleasant stop. For absorption by the body, a number of conditions must be met, including a sufficient amount of fresh air and the absence of stress.

Thirdly, cognac is recommended to be enjoyed with tasty and healthy food: nuts, dark chocolate, fruits, berries, cheeses. In addition to the taste obtained by combining these products with cognac, recommendations for their consumption are due to their beneficial effects on the body and cardiovascular system, including neutralizing the negative consequences of alcohol consumption.

Blood thickening when drinking large doses of alcohol

Experts are convinced that in most cases, when drinking alcohol, a person’s blood thickens. This is especially noticeable when trying to take the test immediately after a feast or in a state of hangover.

In this case, the blood flows extremely slowly, and many small clots can be seen in it.

These clots are formed from various formed elements of blood. In fact, they can include all kinds of cells:

platelets;

· erythrocytes;

· leukocytes.

The main share in clots is platelets. These are small blood platelets that are normally responsible for coagulation processes. Platelets have the ability to stick together. This is necessary if any of the vessels is damaged.

When drinking alcohol, the situation changes. Not only platelet plates begin to stick together, but also all other formed elements. This happens because the blood itself quickly loses fluid. Water is necessary to maintain the normal condition of all blood vessels. If a person drinks alcoholic beverages, then it gradually passes into the tissues, which is externally manifested by edema.

The blood itself undergoes significant changes. Its cells stick together and form clots that move along the riverbed. This is dangerous, since the blood clot cannot always pass into the lumen of the vessel. If the walls themselves are thickened or there are cholesterol plaques on them, and the diameter of the clot is too large, then thrombosis is possible - a life-threatening condition. Doctors in such a situation have only a few minutes to help a person.

What happens in the body when drinking alcohol

Alcohol is first absorbed in the digestive tract and enters the bloodstream. Initially, alcohol begins to affect the brain. This is why people experience a feeling of euphoria, their mood may improve, they want to do something, move actively. Gradually, this state may give way to aggression, fatigue or drowsiness.

The effect of alcohol on human blood, blood vessels and cholesterol is quite multifaceted and has not yet been fully studied. By acting on vascular receptors, alcohol causes them to dilate, which helps lower blood pressure.

In the first stage, alcohol thins the blood. But after half an hour it begins to thicken. This occurs due to the effect of alcohol on the substances responsible for its coagulation. A sharp spasm of blood vessels and a jump in pressure occurs, which is manifested by redness of the skin and changes in mood. You should also understand how alcohol affects cholesterol. Drinking small doses of alcohol can increase the amount of lipoproteins that carry healthy cholesterol from cells to the liver. Low-density lipoproteins (“bad cholesterol”) remain at the same level. That is, if you have high cholesterol, alcohol-containing drinks can be consumed in limited quantities.

Research results have shown that in people who abuse alcohol and do not have high cholesterol in the blood, atherosclerotic plaques are not deposited on the walls of blood vessels - ethanol dissolves them. But the number of heart attacks and strokes and sudden deaths among alcoholics is quite large, since alcohol negatively affects all other systems of the body. Therefore, you should not think that using alcohol-containing drinks can influence the level of cholesterol in the blood without harming yourself.

Depending on the stage of alcohol's influence on the body, blood liquefaction or thinning occurs. Any substance has its own indicator of osmoticity, that is, the ability to attract water to itself. For alcohol, this indicator is high, so if you drink an alcoholic drink, liquid from the blood is attracted to the alcohol and removed from the body, and the blood thickens. Thus, alcohol affects blood clotting. This effect will continue until the body's water balance is restored. A large amount of clean drinking water can improve the situation.

With a lack of fluid, the formed elements, which include leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells, are outside their usual environment and begin to stick together. Large formations of blood elements cannot pass through the lumen of blood vessels. As a result, they become blocked, which can lead to thrombosis.

Useful action

Most likely, everyone who has ever taken alcohol, even a small amount, has noticed its effect - nervous tension and stress receded, the body relaxed, thoughts also slowed down.
Minimum doses actually provoke the release of the so-called joy hormone, which is responsible for euphoria and inspiration. Some people drink to improve their performance; they notice how they want to move and do more. Alcohol acts through GMAC receptors, which are responsible for natural inhibition in the brain. After all, first after drinking alcohol rushes to the brain, but each person feels its influence in his own way:

Some become more talkative, cheerful, and relaxed;
Others, on the contrary, calm down and remain silent;
Still others show increased aggressiveness, “get turned on” by the slightest word or gesture, and in a sober, normal state they present a different behavior;
Increasing the dose often leads to coordination disorders (a drunk person moves uncertainly, everything becomes blurred before the eyes, it seems that the brain and body are working separately), vomiting, and speech impairment - incoherent muttering.

The receptors that usually control all this are located in the area of influence of alcohol - parts of the brain.

If you look at the physiological aspect, then alcohol, yes, is a fast diluting factor and can reduce sugar accumulated in the blood, but this does not happen immediately. It is impossible to predict the breakdown period of sugar, so alcohol cannot be used as a “pleasant medicine” for diabetics. Moreover, alcohol is practically prohibited for them.

However, there is one undeniable and surprising factor identified after studying the bodies of alcoholics - they have practically no developed atherosclerosis! Alcohol does cause blood thinning, especially when taken regularly; it breaks down fatty deposits found along the way in the walls of blood vessels. However, the effect is rather dubious, because in addition to blood vessels, alcohol affects the blood itself and “hits” the liver noticeably. Therefore, strokes in alcoholics are not uncommon.

Circulatory disorders

The circulatory system plays an important role in human life. It supplies all organs with oxygen and nutrients, removing waste products and carbon dioxide. Failures in this process lead to serious consequences.

Symptoms of circulatory disorders:

frequent headaches;
impaired coordination of movements;
constant fatigue;
memory loss;
numbness of certain parts of the body;
speech apparatus disorder.

Poor circulation can be caused by smoking, old age, diabetes, alcoholism, or excess weight. These factors provoke a decrease in the function of the heart muscle. And this is the main organ of the circulatory system, its motor that sets everything in motion.

One of the main factors of circulatory disorders is blockage of blood vessels. In some places the passage for blood is blocked. The walls of the blood vessels begin to stretch. At some point they may burst and hemorrhage will occur. This can be fatal.

Blocked blood vessels block blood flow to the brain and other organs. They are starved of oxygen. This provokes the development of diseases that cannot be treated. Therefore, at the first symptoms of circulatory problems, you need to go to the hospital.

How do different types of alcohol affect you?

The effect of alcoholic beverages on the circulatory system directly depends on its type and degree. Healthy alcohol does not exist; this fact has been repeatedly confirmed by research.

The influence of vodka

Any liquid has a certain osmotic index: it is responsible for the ability to attract water. The highest level of osmoticity is recorded in vodka. It attracts the liquid part of the blood and leads to its thickening. Vodka changes the composition of the blood and affects the condition of its components.

The following are negatively affected:

leukocytes;
red blood cells;
platelets.

Alcohol causes the components to stick together and form large clots. They close the lumens of small vessels, disrupting the functioning of the heart and causing the development of blood clots. It is noteworthy that vodka both thins and thickens the blood. These processes occur sequentially one after another, which increases the likelihood of developing a threat to human life.

The influence of beer

The drink has a negative effect on the condition of blood vessels. It can lead to both an increase and a decrease in blood pressure. Beer helps lower this indicator, but not for a long period and only if a person drinks a small amount of alcohol. At the same time, beer provokes not only vasodilation, but also blood thinning, which has a positive effect on blood circulation. This action reduces the likelihood of blood clots and the development of atherosclerosis.

But in large quantities, beer contributes to heart dysfunction. Also, abuse of foamy drinks leads to increased work of the kidneys and increases the likelihood of their inflammation. In this mode, the urinary organs do not have time to perform their basic functions, which increases blood pressure.

Inflammation in the kidneys leads to decreased production of prostaglandins. They are involved in the process of dilation of the artery and are responsible for the normal level of pressure. When kidney function is impaired, the production of renin is recorded. This substance, in combination with blood proteins, provokes an excessive release of a hormone that causes vascular spasms. Under its influence, increased work of the adrenal glands is observed, which leads to the production of excess amounts of norepinephrine, adrenaline and aldosterone. They contribute to increased blood pressure.

The influence of cognac

It is noteworthy that this alcoholic drink, like vodka, helps to both lower and increase blood pressure. It all depends on the amount of alcoholic beverages. Small doses of cognac help eliminate vascular spasms and normalize blood pressure. Under the influence of a small amount of alcohol, cholesterol levels drop, which reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis.

In some cases, with low immunity and vascular weakness, the doctor recommends drinking a small amount of cognac. But as soon as you increase the portion, the condition will immediately worsen. Cognac in large doses causes high blood pressure.

The influence of wine

Grape products have a positive effect on blood composition. An alcoholic drink helps increase the number of red blood cells and increase hemoglobin levels. This action reduces the risk of developing anemia and leads to a decrease in blood density. Regular consumption of red wine in a minimal dosage helps maintain blood vessels in good shape. This action completely eliminates the formation of blood clots.

Champagne influence

Ethanol, which is part of sparkling wine, leads to the destruction of red blood cells. These are special blood cells that are responsible for the normal blood circulation process. They provide oxygen access to all organs and systems. When red blood cells are destroyed, its supply decreases, which leads to the development of oxygen starvation. This negatively affects the functioning of brain cells and causes them to die.

The effect of a certain type of alcohol on the circulatory system directly depends on its degree and osmoticity. Most alcoholic drinks increase the number of red blood cells in the blood, which increases the likelihood of developing clots.

How to properly treat a hangover

Considering the above, proper relief of hangover syndrome should accomplish two tasks.

The first is to remove toxic substances that were in alcohol, alcohol residues, under-oxidized metabolites from the body, and the second is to restore normal water balance.

Once these tasks are completed, the unfortunate person’s well-being will improve significantly. But in order not to take various medications without a doctor’s prescription, it is necessary to subject the body to normal water load.

For this, 3 - 5 liters of mineral water, preferably naturally mineralized, an effervescent aspirin tablet, freshly squeezed lemon juice with sugar as a source of vitamin C, a little hot tea and honey will be enough. After about one and a half liters of mineral water enters the body every hour, the blood will begin to thin out, diuresis will be restored again and the desire to urinate will arise.

After this, recovery begins, the feeling of thirst disappears, and after a few hours the painful symptoms of intoxication will go away. If you need to get rid of the remaining alcohol in your body as quickly as possible, you can start treatment as early as possible, in the morning. In order to ensure that potassium and magnesium ions do not leave the body with a large volume of urine after a water load, it is advisable to combine this with eating dried fruits or baked potatoes in their jackets.

Taking a warm bath or hot shower, always rubbing with a washcloth or hard towel, will also significantly speed up the body’s return to normal condition. If your health allows, then a bathhouse, only heated not to extreme temperatures, will be very helpful in removing toxins from the body through the skin. Warming up the steam room to 70 degrees, quietly staying in it with the goal of just lying down, sweating, drinking mineral water will bring the desired results and relieve the blood from thickening.

Now you are familiar with the main effects of alcohol on the liquid part of blood plasma contained in the human bloodstream, and you can know whether alcohol thins the blood or thickens it.

The fact that thrombotic complications - heart attacks and ischemic strokes - occur much more often as a result of alcohol abuse suggests that thickening is a much more dangerous condition than blood thinning.

When the blood thins, its coagulability also decreases, but almost none of the alcoholics die from normal bleeding, perhaps with the exception of varicose veins of the esophagus due to severe cirrhosis of the liver.

That is why regular indulgence in alcoholic beverages is not recommended for those people who have a tendency to thrombosis - with thrombophilia, systemic diseases of the blood vessels, with obliterating endarteritis and thromboangiitis, with diabetic angiopathy, with severe arterial hypertension. All these conditions are characterized by an increased risk of thrombosis and vascular insufficiency, and a case of alcoholic “dehydration” of the body can cause a vascular accident.

The study of the effect of alcohol on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems examines a huge number of factors and parameters. A universal algorithm for the absorption, breakdown and elimination of alcohol is known.

Modern research suggests that moderate consumption of certain alcoholic beverages may even reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

However, the parameters of this process will be determined by the composition of the particular alcoholic beverage, the level of ethanol content, etc. One of the important points when studying the effect of alcohol on the human body is the level of blood viscosity and the ability of alcohol to thin it and prevent further thickening. Why is this happening?

Let us consider in detail the universal and special cases of the effect of alcohol on the viscosity of human blood. We will also discuss what other blood parameters are affected by alcohol and explain the possible consequences of abuse.

Effect of alcohol on blood

Why does alcohol affect the blood and, as a result, affect the psyche? The reason is explained very simply: the influence of alcohol, which causes intoxication, is a completely alien, unusual and destructive state for the human body.

Effect of alcohol

Even a small dose of an alcoholic drink can very quickly lead to changes in the mental state of any person.

What does research in this area say? Moderate drinkers often justify their regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol by saying: how much did I drink there? Just think: some hundred grams! So, fifty grams of vodka is enough for changes in the psyche to begin to manifest themselves.

What signs can be used to judge that a dose of alcohol has entered the bloodstream?

A drunk person develops:

poor coordination of movements;
inability to maintain balance;
inability to navigate in space;
a sharp deterioration in mental abilities in the form of memory deterioration and even memory loss;
deterioration in concentration;
loss of logical thinking and intelligence;
hearing impairment.

Why is this happening?

Due to the fact that alcohol enters the blood, all brain processes are inhibited. Therefore, for those people whose life and activities are connected with making decisions, quickly responding to a situation, and especially with responsibility for the lives of others, and not just their own, drinking alcohol even in the smallest doses is unacceptable.

Harm of alcohol to the body

People don’t think that alcohol is a real poison. It’s unlikely that a reasonable person would think of drinking poison as a form of relaxation, right? Unless for the purpose of committing suicide. And the drinker does not think that by taking alcohol, even in small quantities, he is slowly but surely leading the body to death.

For some reason, it doesn’t occur to a person drinking to his health at the table that alcohol is used to sterilize instruments, for example, in surgery. Why? Yes, because alcohol can destroy everything that lives.

If the destruction of microbes on syringe needles or surgical instruments is a necessity, without which it is impossible to carry out therapeutic measures, then the destruction of cells of the human body leads to chronic diseases and premature death.

Very often, people who drink do not believe that alcohol is harmful to the body. This is motivated by the fact that despite the statements: alcohol is poison, they live and do not die. What can you say about this?

The body is a system that fights the effects of alcohol

The fact is that the human body is a system. All the cells of the body that form any organs are miraculously organized and intelligent colonies. They are able to divide and replace some of their dead cells with new divisions. This is why the body does not die immediately and is able to survive after taking such a strong poison as alcohol. But all this is for the time being.

After all, the human body can only withstand a certain dose of alcohol in the blood. No one knows what this dose will be next time.

This depends on many factors: age, individual characteristics, health status at the time of drinking alcohol, and so on.

Attention!

Exceeding the permissible dose inevitably occurs and then general poisoning occurs, which very often ends in death.

When a critical dose of alcohol is consumed in a short period of time, the body cannot cope with the problem. The excretory system is unable to neutralize the poison and the body dies from intoxication.

Intoxication and death from poisoning with poisonous mushrooms is often a quick death. People die even faster from inhaling carbon monoxide. Why? Because there the concentration of toxic substances is high, and in alcoholic drinks it is much less. But this does not make the poison safe.

The gradual and regular entry of poison into the body in the form of alcohol inevitably leads to serious consequences. These consequences are especially severe for young people and children. But often the first portion of alcohol in life is taken at home, in front of parents, and often on their own initiative.

Selection of alcoholic drinks by blood type

According to nutrition according to blood type, all products are divided into:

healthy (benefits the body, is well absorbed),
neutral (safe to use in small quantities),
harmful (poorly absorbed, can cause illness).

Of course, alcohol in large quantities is not recommended for anyone. But it can be used in small doses if there are no medical contraindications. Depending on the blood type, apologists for the method recommend adhering to the following rules:

It is better for people with blood group O to lead a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol has no benefit at all for their body. Strong drinks and any cocktails that contain alcohol are prohibited. This is primarily due to the danger of increasing the acidity of gastric juice. White and red wines, as well as quality beer, are considered neutral. Owners of the first blood group can drink these drinks in moderate doses.
Carriers of the second blood group will benefit from red wine. Preference should be given to dry wines made from grapes rather than wine materials. Neutral drinks – white wines. High-proof alcohol is not recommended, including tinctures with alcohol, as well as carbonated alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (this rule also applies to 0-proof beer). The ban is associated with the high sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract and the vulnerability of the nervous system.

For those with the third blood group, there is also no “healthy” alcohol. White and red wines and low-alcohol drinks are allowed in limited quantities. You need to exclude from your diet alcohol with an alcohol content above 20%, as well as any carbonated energy drinks with any amount of ethyl alcohol. The danger lies in the fact that the strong body of people with the third blood group can even absorb harmful foods. As a result, the illusion is created that you can consume everything without consequences. But abuse of neutral or prohibited foods ultimately leads to the accumulation of toxins in the intestines, and also provokes disruption of the liver and cardiovascular system.
For people with blood type IV, any alcohol will not be beneficial. Wine and beer are considered neutral. Only strong drinks will have to be excluded. Despite the body’s innate ability to adapt to different diets, the sensitivity of the digestive organs in such people is very high. Drinking alcohol in this case can lead to serious intoxication and other negative consequences.

Does alcohol make your blood thick?

The most clear answer to this question will be a video showing the blood of a patient in a state of withdrawal syndrome, popularly called “with a hangover.” Just saying that it is thick is not enough! It’s hard to call what you saw blood, it’s jelly! And this jelly is not able to perform one of its main functions - gas exchange! The brain experiences the same thing with a hangover as a person who is being strangled! The hypoxia that the brain experiences with a hangover is what makes the heart beat so wildly. Why is this happening?

In fact, there is an opinion that alcohol thins the blood, which is why many doctors recommend cognac as a preventive measure for heart attacks and strokes. This opinion, unfortunately, is erroneous and suggests that the doctor himself suffers from this form of addiction! The mistake is as follows. We are surrounded in this world by many negative factors that provoke blood thickening: polluted air, dirty water and chemically treated food. All this leads to the “gluing” of red blood cells together, the “clusters” of which are simply not able to squeeze through the capillary vessels of the brain, and indeed the entire human body. When a person takes alcohol, like acetone, it dissolves these “glues” in the “clusters” and red blood cells begin to freely penetrate through the capillaries to the neurons, bringing oxygen to them and the person feels a surge of strength! But this is only true at the beginning, then alcohol begins to dissolve the membranes of red blood cells directly, they burst and “free” hemoglobin begins to thicken the plasma again. Again we need another dose of alcohol - a solvent! Depending on the characteristics of the body, for one patient it is an interval of 2.5 hours, for another it is 10 hours. Thus, binge drinking develops, since one of the simplest and most readily available means for thinning the blood is another dose of alcohol. If the patient is not allowed to recover from a hangover in time, that is, to thin the blood, then he dies from the fact that the brain is simply left without oxygen!

Everyone reading from life has a lot of examples! Bloodletting as a method of relieving hangovers has been used since the days of piracy. The rum that the pirates took had a pronounced property of thickening the blood the next morning. Therefore, on almost every ship there was one teetotaler, who, the next day after drinking, brought his colleagues to consciousness with a knife. He opened the veins in everyone’s limbs, and this led to a decrease in blood pressure in the poor fellows. As a result, they came to their senses. In our patients, when the pressure is 250 to 160, there are simply no other options for lowering blood pressure. I would also like to note that it is for this same reason that heart attacks and strokes affect a person not during a binge, but at the exit from it!

I often hear a question from patients at appointments: “Do I drink alcohol myself?”

To which I answer: “For 30 years I have been watching people die from the effects of alcohol. And one hundredth of what I saw, I think, will be enough for any person to make a decision to stop drinking alcohol!

Narcologist Valiullin Rustem AnvarovichNarcology clinic “NARCOLOGIST and I”, Kazan11/14/2012

Stages and phases of alcohol movement

The principle of action of alcohol-containing liquids on blood quality is significantly different and can be of only two types - thinning the blood flow and promoting blood thickening. Knowing these aspects will not only help you avoid danger to your health, but also, in some cases, get relief.

Absorption stage: liquefaction

Alcohol has a specific characteristic (osmoticity) - the ability to attract liquids well. Dissolving in the blood, alcoholic drinks provoke the accumulation of fluid, thin the blood and facilitate its easier movement through the blood vessels. This can be considered a positive dynamic in case of a sedentary lifestyle, with stagnation in the body, but a dangerous phenomenon in the presence of blood clots and increased blood clotting. There are characteristic symptoms that appear in a person at the initial stage of alcohol consumption:

skin redness;
warming warmth throughout the body;
calming mental activity;
relaxation of the whole body;
urge to urinate.

These symptoms can be observed in the first 20-40 minutes if you drink a small amount of alcohol. If you continue to abuse alcohol, the opposite and very dangerous effect will occur - thickening of the blood. For this reason, chronic alcoholics tend to have thick blood flowing through their vessels.

Condensation in the output phase

As the human body identifies consumed alcoholic beverages as poison, its internal protective reserves begin to turn on. The process of removing harmful substances from the body is underway. Ethanol (the main component of alcohol) is broken down into its constituent elements and, along with a large amount of liquid, is excreted. In this case, dehydration of the body occurs, the blood sharply thickens, its viscosity and blood sugar levels increase. At this time, a person may experience the following characteristic symptoms, which are popularly called a “hangover”:

thirst and dry mouth;
swelling;
whole body aches;
headache;
tremor of the limbs and/or the whole body.

Preventing consequences

The effect of alcohol on the blood is limited by the period of its decay, and the effects fade over time. With constant consumption of alcoholic beverages, the body is in a persistent state of stress.

There are several options for dealing with the undesirable effects of ethanol on the blood:

reduce the frequency and dose of alcohol taken;
seek help from a specialist. The doctor will examine the blood system, the activity of the heart muscle, and select specific therapy;
follow a diet. Regular consumption of blood thinning foods will reduce the risk of thrombosis. Such products include ginger, blueberries, celery, garlic, rose hips, sauerkraut, parsley, beets, tomatoes, bell peppers, pomegranate, citrus fruits, apples, raspberries, cranberries, currants, drinking plenty of fluids, green tea, and juices. The above components contain useful antioxidants, vitamin C;
adhere to the principles of rational nutrition. A balanced diet speeds up the body’s recovery;
Lead an active lifestyle, jogging and sports. It has been proven that a trained heart muscle is less susceptible to the harmful effects of unfavorable habits.

Alcohol is harmful to the heart and blood vessels

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Alcohol absorption increases on an empty stomach, in women, in the elderly, with liver and kidney diseases, and in the presence of hereditary causes. In addition to this, ethyl alcohol causes very contradictory states, replacing one another. Each of these options can lead to disastrous consequences, and instability of homeostasis significantly increases the risk of a pathological outcome. Surveillance, cardiovascular monitoring, and treatment are required to avoid serious complications or death.

How to eliminate strong blood viscosity yourself

Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to malfunctions of the body. The circulatory system is also included in the process. A small dose smoothly dilates blood vessels, and exceeding it causes a sharp spasm. The veins narrow, viscous blood moves through them poorly, and the pressure rises. The condition is very dangerous for hypertensive patients, so every person should know how to help themselves.

Doctors identify several ways to eliminate strong viscosity:

Antioxidants are taken - it is useful to eat greens, vegetables, fruits,
Vitamin C is added to the diet to remove ethyl breakdown products - rose hips, cabbage (sauerkraut), strawberries, oranges, lemons, tangerines are rich in it.
You can prepare a healthy drink - take leaves of lemon balm, acacia, horse chestnut, licorice (root), willow (bark). Mix the ingredients, pour boiling water, leave for 30-60 minutes, and drink,
To quickly thin the blood, take a glass of water, add 1⁄4 teaspoon of soda, divide into 10 doses and drink over 3-10 days.

It is healthy to eat zucchini, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and apples. Juice or fruit drink is prepared from fruits or vegetables. You can buy flax oil and take it as directed every day on an empty stomach. The product saturates the blood with lipids, reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis, heart disease, and blood vessels. In the morning, you can drink 2 small spoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in a glass of clean water.

About different types of alcohol and their effects on the body

Of course, the type and strength of the alcoholic beverage makes a very big difference in the metabolism of ethanol. Let's look at the main types of popular alcohol and their effect on thinning (and mainly thickening the blood).

Strong alcohol

The highest level of ability to absorb water exists in vodka, as well as in all alcoholic drinks with a strength of over 40 degrees. So, many types of cognac and brandy exceed this value, the same applies to moonshine. But if you drink 150 ml of good cognac of sufficient strength, but over several hours and with a snack, then nothing special will happen to you. But if you drink vodka, and its quantity exceeds half a liter per “capita”, then there is a risk of falling into a state of severe hangover, since it is not only a matter of degree, but also of quantity.

Vodka and strong alcohol, as mentioned above, first thins and then begins to thicken the blood. At the beginning of the process, a heparin-like effect appears, but the liquefaction will be very weak and short, and then hemoconcentration occurs, a tendency to thrombosis, and in the morning - severe thirst. At the same time, the quality of alcohol can reduce the symptoms of intoxication, but thirst is unlikely. It depends on the strength and quantity

Therefore, it does not matter what was drunk: vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, strong liqueur. The symptoms will be the same, even with a very good product quality

Beer

As for beer, there is perhaps no greater enemy for the cardiovascular system among all types of alcohol. First of all, beer is always drunk in large quantities. Patients are scared that they have to drink 3 or 5 liters of mineral water to treat a hangover, but when it comes to 5 liters of beer, this seems like a small amount, because sometimes you have to buy more. Beer contributes to volume overload of the heart and the development of valvular disorders in the myocardium, for example, increased mitral valve prolapse. Beer contributes to the appearance of pronounced edema, but not due to the liquid that is in the bloodstream, but due to the liquid that comes out of it. This is why thirst also occurs during a beer hangover; beer increases blood pressure. In case of chronic beer alcoholism, men receive analogues of female hormones, or phytoestrogens. Therefore, excessive consumption of beer can contribute to a decrease in potency.

Dry wines, sparkling wines and champagne

Wine, especially noble dry white and red, without any additives, flavors or fragrances, is the most gentle type of alcohol. According to the World Health Organization, taking 50 or 100 milliliters of good dry wine daily even helps normalize blood pressure, but only as a supplement to a healthy diet, and without abuse. This is a medical fact that has been proven on a huge number of centenarians in Southern France, Italy and the Mediterranean region.

Naturally, in this case we are not talking about fortified wines, drinking wine on an empty stomach, or sparkling and champagne wines. The purpose of carbonated wines is not to use them with meat and fish dishes, fruits and cheeses. Champagne is the best way to instill relaxation and a state of comfort in a person, and therefore is used at official banquets and evenings where you need to quickly create a relaxed atmosphere for strangers. But this rapid intoxication is very harmful to the capillaries of the brain. It is carbon dioxide that enhances the absorption of ethanol into the blood, and therefore drinking champagne and sparkling wines can create an “alcohol shock” to the body tissues and cause quite severe intoxication. Alcohol can also cause your blood to thicken if you overindulge in several bottles of champagne.

Sources

https://alkogolik-info.ru/vliyanie-na-zdorove/obshaya-zdr/alkogol-razzhizhaet-ili-sgushhaet-krov.html
https://narcoff.com/alkogolizm/vliyanie/alkogol-razzhizhaet-ili-sgushshaet-krov
https://WikiFood.online/organi/blood/bl-thinners/razzhizhaet-li-konyak-krov.html
https://stop-alkogolizm.ru/vliyanie/alkogol-i-krov.html
https://serdec.ru/krov/vliyanie-alkogolya
https://MyAnaliz.ru/blood/biohim/fermenty/sgushhaet-ili-razzhizhaet-krov-alkogol

How does the body lose water?

Due to the fact that water leaves the blood, but the number of red blood cells remains the same, there is an increased risk of thrombosis, especially in small vessels. It is due to hemoconcentration that in the morning, in a state of hangover, a person experiences severe thirst. It is known that in order to avoid this state of hangover, immediately during and after drinking alcohol, drink a large amount of clean water, which prevents the process of blood thickening.

It is necessary to remember the insidiousness of alcohol intoxication. Everyone knows the phenomenon that in a state of mild to moderate alcoholic intoxication, a person wants to go to the toilet quite often for minor needs, and not only when he has drunk a lot of beer. We are not talking about any special thinning or thickening properties of alcohol - it’s just that the body that has experienced an “osmotic shock” is able to excrete ethanol only along with water, which is necessary for life.

Being in an elevated state of alcoholic intoxication, a person quickly hurries from the toilet to the feast and back to good company, and does not realize that he is gradually losing the necessary fluid. Strong alcohol works especially hard. Those people who do not understand whether vodka thins or thickens the blood, let them remember their condition the next morning, during a severe hangover.

Naturally, at this time you are constantly thirsty, and there is no desire to run around for minor needs. Moreover, it does not matter what was consumed in large doses - vodka, beer or cognac, there is no difference. Ethanol processing products, under-oxidized acetaldehyde and fusel oils, or high-atomic alcohols, cause severe intoxication syndrome, drowsiness, and headache. And, of course, the constant desire to drink water, brine, eliminating the “dry wood” is disturbing.