When fasting, there are several types of drinks that you need to avoid. One of them is alcoholic beverages. Not only reducing the benefits of fasting, consuming alcoholic beverages can also cause various adverse effects on health.
The habit of consuming alcoholic beverages, especially when the stomach is empty, for example at the beginning of breaking the fast or sahur, can make the alcohol you drink is absorbed and flowed throughout the body more and more quickly.
This can cause complaints, such as dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Even in some people, consuming alcoholic beverages while fasting can also cause more serious health problems.
The Impact of Drinking Alcoholic Drinks While Fasting
The following are the various effects of consuming alcoholic beverages while fasting that can occur:
1. Increase the risk of side effects
As previously explained, if you drink alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach, this can trigger side effects, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, inability to think clearly, and loss of limb coordination which can increase the risk of accidents.
If consumption is continued, then you are at high risk of alcohol poisoning which can be characterized by symptoms, such as confusion, hypothermia, delirium, slowed breathing, and fainting.
2. Inhibits fat burning
Fasting is a moment where body fat is burned and used as a source of energy. However, this fat-burning process can be hampered if you drink alcoholic beverages. In fact, instead of reducing, consuming too many alcoholic beverages can actually increase fat deposits in the body.
3. Increase appetite
Drinking alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach can increase appetite. In fact, if you overeat at iftar or suhoor, this is at risk of causing flatulence and difficulty sleeping. This habit can also trigger weight gain.
4. Increase inflammation in the body
The benefits of fasting have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. However, if you consume alcoholic beverages during iftar or suhoor, the effect that occurs is just the opposite, namely body inflammation can increase.
This can then put you at higher risk for various chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In addition, excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of liver diseases, such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
5. Inhibits the repair of body cells
Consuming alcoholic beverages while fasting can prevent the body from repairing damaged cells and producing new, healthier cells. As a result, the body will be more susceptible to disease.
Therefore, so that fasting is smooth and the benefits can be obtained optimally, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages, yes. Also avoid drinking caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea, because these types of drinks have diuretic properties that can increase the risk of dehydration.
Better, consume healthy drinks, such as mineral water, infused water, or fruit juice. Not only can make you more fit, this drink can also prevent you from becoming dehydrated while fasting.
If you find it difficult to stop drinking alcoholic beverages or have experienced certain health problems due to this habit, you should immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.