Alcohol Matters: Facts you should know

An excerpt from my book, MISLED
www.HEALTHandINSPIRATION.com

Most studies suggest that alcohol destroys your body in just about every aspect, mainly because it inhibits the absorption of many necessary vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, and increases their excretion from the body. However, some studies propose that alcohol in moderation may have some health benefits. Alcohol is a confusing topic for many people, and especially for some religious groups, like Christians who aren’t sure if they are allowed to drink alcohol due to their beliefs. Let’s lay out some facts so that you can decide which approach is best for you.

In modest amounts (four to five drinks a week), some studies show that alcohol can increase blood flow, improve digestion, raise your good cholesterol, and reduce your risk for heart attacks and heart disease. There are also advocates who believe that alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine offer some nutritional value. For example, wine contains vitamin C, and beer contains B vitamins and minerals from grains and yeast. The truth is that the nutritional value of these drinks in comparison to the overall caloric content makes them hardly nutritious at best. One thing is for sure however, certain types of alcohol are healthier than others. For example, most top-shelf vodkas are filtered to remove contaminants and are considered cleaner than most other light-colored alcohols. Dark liquors, on the other hand, typically receive their color from being aged in barrels (often charred). Unfortunately, this aging process also creates contaminants in the liquor. Of all the alcoholic beverage choices, I think wine is the best. Even though the nutritional value of wine is minimal, wine contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols (most notably, resveratrol), which fight disease. There is a catch, though. The grapes used to make wines could contain a great deal of pesticides and fertilizing chemicals. To be safe, I would recommend drinking organic wines when possible. Choosing organic wines will ensure that you receive all of the helpful antioxidants without the risk of dumping potentially troublesome chemicals into your system.

From a religious point of view, many ministers and pastors strongly advise all Christians not to drink any alcohol of any kind, and for good reason. For some among us, even moderate drinking can lead to alcohol abuse, which is a significant problem worldwide. Alcohol abuse has been directly responsible for an overabundance of liver disease, stomach disorders, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, impotence, cancer, birth defects, immune suppression, social problems, economic disasters, divorce, violent crimes, injuries, and death. This is something to seriously consider before taking a drink.

On the other hand, the first miracle Jesus ever performed was to turn water into wine at a wedding in Galilee. If you read the Scriptures carefully, you’ll realize he made the wine near the end of the wedding after everyone had been drinking for a while. I mean seriously now, if alcohol is such a bad thing, why would the Savior of the World be making the stuff and giving it to his friends? Perhaps alcohol isn’t the problem. I also found another Biblical reference that is quite interesting from the book of Deuteronomy 14: 25 and 26 (NASV), which reads -

“Then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the Lord your God chooses. You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.”

In this passage, God is affirming to the reader that it is okay to celebrate and have a drink after you have worked hard. Notice, He is saying to drink before him, which I believe means to drink responsibly with the full understanding that you are always under Godly supervision. You also have to understand that this Scripture is depicting a rare occasion, not a daily occurrence. Remember that Jesus also made wine at a celebration; he wasn’t running around town creating wine at the local taverns so people could get smashed on a daily basis. Furthermore, many references in the Bible clearly state an overall theme that you should not be a drunk, and that drinking in excess will lead to a multitude of problems. From a Christian perspective, anything you do that takes you away from your relationship with God needs to be considered, whether it’s alcohol, money, sex, food, or drugs, etc.

So what does all this mean? To me, it clearly means that alcohol consumption is NOT un-Biblical, as many religious leaders would like us to believe. However, like all questionable behavior, you should be led by God’s spirit to help you make the decision that is best for your life. A good way to decipher this is to sense how you feel when you have a drink. Do you feel guilty? Do you feel like you have to hide it? If so, that is a good indication that God is leading you to refrain from drinking alcohol. On the other hand, if you are the type of person who can have an occasional drink without it leading to a problem, and you feel that a drink every now and then to celebrate the life God has given you is okay, then I don’t see a problem. I realize this way of thinking may be unpopular with many Christian views on the subject, but to advise you otherwise would be refuting scripture. Remember, however, that most alcoholic drinks contain a great deal of non-nutritious calories that will make you gain weight if you drink routinely. Also, alcohol in general is very acidic and can help raise your body’s acidic PH level, which can lead to the development of disease. If you would like to attain many of the helpful antioxidants contained in wine without the risk of alcohol related problems then buy alcohol-free wine. Anyone who has health problems such as liver disease, diabetes, kidney problems, or head injuries should not drink alcohol at all under any circumstances. If you have any health problems or concerns, please consult your doctor before drinking any alcohol. If you have a problem with drinking, please enroll yourself in a support group and find some help today.