Endogenous alcohol in the human body

The human body is able to independently produce alcohol. Ethanol, which is produced in our bodies as a result of complex biochemical reactions, is known as endogenous alcohol. This substance is concentrated in the largest quantities in the pulmonary and hepatic tissues. To an insignificant degree endogenous alcohol is present in other structures of the body.

Many motorists are interested in the question, can the active development of such a substance affect the results of the survey in road accidents? After all, the current laws provide for the deprivation of a driver's license when the lowest concentration of alcohol in the blood is detected.

The production of endogenous alcohol in the blood - what is it? How does an insufficient production of a substance affect the state of the body? We will try to answer these and other questions later in the article.

Endogenous alcohol - what is it?

In short, endogenous alcohol is called ethyl alcohol, which is produced by the glands of the body in the process of vital activity. He takes part in the adaptation of body tissues to aggressive conditions, acts as a source of energy, makes it easier to overcome stressful situations.

As the results of special studies show, endogenous alcohol in the body is actively developed with positive emotional states. On the contrary, its quantity decreases in case of strong negative experiences.

Types of endogenous alcohol

There are several varieties of such alcohol:

1. Truly endogenous - alcohol, which is produced by cells of the body in small amounts, regardless of the influence of external stimuli. For the production of a substance there is a special chemical compound known under the definition of alcohol dehydrogenase. This catalyst is present in the cells of most organs. A particularly high content is observed in liver tissues. Therefore, this body is considered the main "producer" of endogenous alcohol.
2. Conditionally endogenous is formed in the body under the influence of splitting in the digestive tract of certain foods.

What factors affect the increase in the level of endogenous alcohol in the body?

Endogenous alcohol can be actively released into the blood under the following conditions:

1. Diseases. According to the doctors' research, diabetics, people with chronic bronchitis, and also those who have liver and kidney diseases suffer from high blood alcohol levels . In such cases, the maximum concentration of alcohol in the body can reach about 0.4 ppm. However, this indicator is within the permissible range.
2. Food. The active production of ethyl alcohol by the cells of the body can result in eating, which does not contain alcohol. It can be yogurt, chocolate, kvass, certain vegetables and fruits.
3. Mental conditions. As noted earlier, positive and negative experiences activate chemical reactions that form endogenous alcohol in the human body. However, scientists are not yet able to accurately determine the dependence of the production of ethyl alcohol in quantitative terms, based on the nature of various emotional shocks.

Level of endogenous alcohol

In a calm state in a healthy individual, the concentration of endogenous alcohol in the blood is at a level of not more than 0.01 ppm. In fact, the body is able to produce during the day about 10 grams of pure ethyl alcohol. True, this indicator varies considerably, depending on the impact of a number of factors.

To make up the daily norm of alcohol, it is enough for a person to use half-glass of beer, about 30 ml of vodka, 800 ml of kvass, 120 ml of wine or 1.5 liters of kefir. These gradients fall under the notion of norm. If they do not exceed, the person will not feel the symptoms that correspond to the concept of intoxication.

Why is endogenous alcohol required by the body?

Ethyl alcohol, which is produced by the cells of the body:

1. Allows the body to adapt more quickly to unfamiliar, rather aggressive environmental factors. Helps to withstand stress, overcome moral upheavals in difficult situations.
2. It acts as a source of energy for body tissues.
3. Positively affects the functioning of the brain and nervous system.
4. Promotes the expansion of blood vessels and, as a result, improved blood flow, accelerated supply of cells with nutrients.
5. It ensures the activation of metabolic processes.
6. Participates in the development of endorphins - the so-called hormones of happiness.
7. Increases the ability of cells to withstand negative factors in pathological conditions.

The lack of production of endogenous alcohol as a cause of malfunctions in the body is expressed by a violation of its production by the cells of the body and can adversely affect the course of the above processes.

What is the danger of producing endogenous alcohol for drivers?

Owners of vehicles are the category of people who are extremely important not to exceed the permitted level of alcohol in the body. In case of coincidence, in particular, in case of nervous overstrain, the use of certain foods, lack of oxygen, the presence of diseases of organs, cells that participate in metabolism, there can be a natural increase in the amount of ethyl alcohol in the blood. In some situations, there is an effect that a person has recently used a glass of vodka. In the occurrence of such cases, the driver has to prove that he did not take alcohol.

If a person did not really drink alcohol before driving, when examining it, he should not refuse to go to a drug treatment center for a special examination. Without doing this at once, later it will be extremely difficult to prove your own case. After the above procedure, it is worthwhile to go to a private clinic for an independent blood test. Such actions will become a reliable background for the proof of their own innocence in the investigation of a traffic accident in court.

What products should I refuse, intending to sit behind the wheel?

The so-called breathalyzer, which is used by law enforcement officers in determining the sobriety of drivers, can confirm the excess of the permissible level of alcohol in the blood when used:

• Koumiss, non-alcoholic beer can add about 0.4 ppm to the result;
• Fermented kefir, yogurt, in combination with vegetables or fruits - about 0.2 ppm;
• Confectionery with cognac - 0,4 ppm;
• Bread kvass - from 0,3 to 0,6 ppm;
• Chocolate - about 0.1 ppm;
• A sandwich cooked from black bread and sausages - 0.2 ppm.

Endogenous, exogenous alcohol can be concentrated in the body when using medicines such as corvalol, valoserdin, valerian, motherwort tincture. The problem for the driver may even be the use of tobacco products. As practice shows, a newly smoked cigarette increases the level of alcohol in the blood by as much as 0.2 ppm.

Children of alcohol-dependent people

Separately, we should talk about the offspring of alcoholics. Due to hereditary factors, such individuals have a lack of endogenous alcohol production in the body. The pathological phenomenon can be explained by the development of abnormal processes in the mother's womb, in particular, by a significant slowdown in metabolic processes.

The consequences of such changes are often manifested by inadequate activity of children in the physical, mental and social spheres of activity. Children of alcoholics often suffer from stress, feel emotional weakness along with their peers.

It is noteworthy that it will not be possible to replenish the necessary norm of ethyl alcohol in the blood by using hot drinks to children with poor heredity. To suffer from such a violation of metabolic processes in the offspring of alcoholics occurs throughout life.

Finally

Apparently, in the body of any person, even an absolute nondrinker, there is always a small amount of ethyl alcohol. Naturally, the substance is produced in such small amounts that it does not lead to intoxication. In turn, the lack of production of endogenous alcohol as a cause of a number of negative phenomena can be expressed, in particular, in reducing the energy of a person, slowing down brain reactions to external stimuli, etc.

Finally, it should be noted that the majority of people do not suffer from a deficiency of endogenous alcohol in the blood. Therefore, it is worth considering whether it makes sense to lean on alcohol, use it in quantities that adversely affect the state of the body.