Table of contents:
- Effect of alcohol on hormones
- 1. Alcohol has an impact on blood sugar instability
- 2. Alcohol affects the function of the reproductive system
- 3. Alcohol affects calcium metabolism
- 4. Alcohol can increase cortisol
Not only intoxicating, alcohol consumption has an effect on hormones. Hormones themselves have an important role to play in keeping the body healthy and functioning normally. Alcohol intake can interfere with the hormonal system of action, and even lead to serious medical conditions.
Effect of alcohol on hormones
Meanwhile, alcohol consumption can interfere with the glands that are in charge of releasing certain hormones. When the work of hormones is interrupted by alcohol, it will cause the following effects.
- Blood sugar instability
- Affects reproductive function
- Interferes with calcium metabolism and bone structure
- Increase the risk of osteoporosis
Hormones are substances that are able to carry messages to control and coordinate tissues and organs in the body. When on the move, hormones work in sending messages and the body responds to information, so that the limbs can work according to their function.
However, drinking excess alcohol in the body has a major effect on other organs of the body.
1. Alcohol has an impact on blood sugar instability
Drinking excessive alcohol has an effect on the stability of blood sugar and glucose. Glucose is the main energy source for all body tissues. The body gets glucose from food and the body synthesizes from this intake. Then glucose is broken down into glycogen and stored in the liver.
The body's blood sugar levels are controlled by the hormones insulin (lowers glucose) and glucagon (raises glucose). The two hormones work together to regulate the concentration of glucose in the blood.
Alcohol can have an impact on the work of the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland to release glucagon in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. When glucagon is not able to measure the blood sugar levels that the body needs, it can cause a person to faint and cause brain damage.
Not only that, drinking alcohol can also have other effects when it affects the body's glucose levels. The bad effects are as follows.
- Limit glucose intake, so you don't have an appetite
- Inhibits glucose production
- Increases insulin secretion and causes transient hypoglycemia
- Impairs hormonal response to hypoglycemia
2. Alcohol affects the function of the reproductive system
The dependence of drinking alcohol also affects the work of hormones, including reproductive hormones such as the hormone androgen (testosterone) in men and estrogen in women.
Following is the effect of alcohol on the work of the androgen hormones in the male body.
- Lowering testosterone levels
- Increase male breasts
- Change the structure of the sperm
- Impaired sexual reproduction function
While in women, alcohol has the effect of the hormone estrogen as shown below.
- Inhibits the menstrual cycle
- Trigger menstrual cycles without ovulation
- Increase the chances of menopause early
- Risk of miscarriage in pregnant women
3. Alcohol affects calcium metabolism
The effect of drinking alcohol to excess, for example 59-88 ml of alcohol per day, can increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Calcium is a nutrient that the body needs to form strong bones. While alcohol has a bad effect on calcium in the body.
Launching WebMD, alcohol consumption can interfere with the work of the pancreas by absorbing calcium and vitamin D. Alcohol also has an effect on the work of the liver, which is able to activate vitamin D which plays an important role in the absorption of calcium in the body.
Therefore, people with alcohol dependence have a high risk of fracturing a bone that results in damage. Because bones lose the ability to repair themselves quickly due to the influence of alcohol.
4. Alcohol can increase cortisol
A study states that drinking alcohol also has an effect on the production of the hormone cortisol. This effect does not only occur when alcohol is consumed, but the effect lasts afterward and results in intoxication.
In a short time, alcohol has an impact on increasing cortisol and increasing blood pressure. Cortisol also plays an important role in regulating the immune system, cognitive decline, and emotional disorders.
Cognitive changes in alcohol users can cause decreased concentration. In one condition, a person under the influence of alcohol is not able to make good decisions, so it is very possible that he or she has an accident while driving a car.
