Ciu beer, a traditional beer that is harmful to health

Ciu beer is the name for the traditional liquor of Central Java and its surroundings. Pure Ciu has a characteristic clear white color with a very pungent aroma. In his hometown of Banyumas, ciu is made from fermented tape (cassava) or rice. Meanwhile, in other places, such as Solo, Jogja, and Magelang, there is also ciu made from the distillation of fermented sugarcane. This fermented sugarcane chiu is also known as Miras Bekonang.

So, what is the effect of drinking ciu on health?

How much alcohol is ciu?

Quoted from Tempo, ciu itself can be said to be rudimentary alcohol because it only passes one distillation. Even though the alcohol should have passed 3 times of distillation. This fast distillation process makes the alcohol content in ciu beer quite high compared to commercial beers that are sold in the market.

The level of alcohol in pure ciu varies between 25-70 percent. There are also some ciu that can contain up to 90 percent alcohol after going through two distillations. When compared, the alcohol content in bottled beer that has passed three times of distillation is generally only around 4.5-8 percent.

Ciu is often mixed with insect repellent

Ciu is originally a natural fermented liquor from starch. On the other hand, unfortunately ciu is prone to be mixed with a mixture of dangerous chemicals that should not be consumed. Call it ethanol (pure alcohol; rubbing alcohol), insect repellent, and headache medicine. Some ciu retailers may mix it with energy drinks or with soda.

The purpose of mixing, among others, is not so that the effect of the alcohol is stronger and the final product is more and can be sold cheaper. The color of the ciu oplosan will look a little cloudy because the original ciu color is very clear, like water or vodka.

The dangers of drinking ciu beer for health

The common effect that can occur immediately after drinking alcohol with a high alcohol content is of course drunkenness. However, it should be understood that ciu offers many times higher alcohol content than regular beer. So it does not rule out the intoxicating effects are more risky and fatal if drunk in excess.

Other possible effects of drinking ciu include:

1. Brain disorders

Drinking alcohol outside the body's tolerance threshold can cause brain damage. In excessive amounts, alcohol further slows down your breathing and heart rate and drastically lowers your body temperature. Excessive alcohol intake also increases the risk of seizures.

This is because the more alcohol you drink, the more it makes your brain shrink from its size it should. This condition is called atrophy.

Brain shrinkage can cause disruption in language, logical thinking, and problem solving. In the long run, the effects of brain damage from drinking can be permanent.

2. Liver disorders (liver)

After you drink, the alcohol is immediately broken down and filtered by the liver. Alcohol is filtered by the liver more quickly than leftovers. Therefore, alcohol is also absorbed into the blood more quickly.

However, if you drink alcohol outside your body's tolerance limits, the workload for your liver will increase to filter out toxins. The more and faster you drink, the higher the blood alcohol level.

That's why drinking too much ciu will eventually damage the liver. Alcohol initially causes a buildup of fat in the liver, a condition called alcoholic fatty liver.

If it continues to be a habit in the long term, liver inflammation will become permanent which can lead to chronic liver disease, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, liver failure, and even death.

The habit of drinking too much alcohol in the long term can also increase the risk of liver cancer.

3. Lung damage

Drinking large amounts of alcohol will interfere with the gag reflex system. When you vomit from drinking too much alcohol, you run the risk of choking if the vomit blocks your airway. Moreover, your cough reflex is also inhibited because you are in a semi-conscious state.

Some of the vomit residue can be inhaled and enter the lungs. This can be fatal because of the risk of developing lung infections, pneumonia, and lung collapse.

4. Poisoning

Alcohol is poison for the body. That's why drinking large amounts of liquor in succession in a short period of time can lead to poisoning because the liver can't process so much alcohol in a short time.

The level of alcohol in your blood can continue to increase the more you drink, and will continue to rise even in the few hours after that. Very extreme cases of alcohol poisoning can even make you unconscious, go into a coma, and even lead to death.

All the risks of the dangers of ciu beer above actually do not take into account the risk of dangers of ciu mixing chemicals that are not suitable for consumption.