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.

Endogenous alcohol production in the blood - what is it? How does an insufficient production of a substance affect the body's condition? 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 produced with positive emotional states. On the contrary, its quantity decreases in case of strong negative experiences.

Types of endogenous alcohol

Several varieties of such alcohol are distinguished:

1. Truly endogenous is an alcohol that is produced by the cells of the body in small amounts, regardless of the influence of external stimuli. A special chemical compound, known as alcohol dehydrogenase, is responsible for the production of the substance. 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 digestion 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 researches of doctors, diabetics, people with chronic bronchitis, as well as those who have liver and kidney diseases suffer from elevated alcohol levels. In such cases, the maximum concentration of alcohol in the body can reach about 0.4 ppm. However, the specified indicator is within the permissible norm.
2. Food products. To active production of ethyl alcohol by the cells of the body can result in eating that does not contain alcohol. It can be kefir, 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 have not yet succeeded in accurately determining the dependence of the production of ethyl alcohol in quantitative terms, based on the nature of various emotional shocks.

Endogenous alcohol level

In a calm state in a healthy individual, the concentration of endogenous alcohol in the blood is at the 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 replenish 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 concept 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 produced by the body cells:

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. 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. Enables the activation of exchange processes.
6. Participates in the production 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 permissible level of alcohol in the body. In case of coincidence, in particular, in the case of nerve strains, the use of certain foods, lack of oxygen, the presence of organ diseases, 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 event of such incidents, the driver must prove that he did not take alcohol.

If a person does not really drink alcohol before driving, when examining it, he should not refuse to travel to a drug treatment center for a special examination. Without doing this immediately, it will be extremely difficult later 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 during the investigation of a traffic accident in court.

Which 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 yogurt, yogurt, in combination with vegetables or fruit - about 0.2 ppm;
• confectionery with cognac - 0,4 ppm;
• bread kvass - from 0,3 to 0,6 ppm;
• chocolate - about 0.1 ppm;
• sandwich, made from black bread and sausage - 0.2 ppm.

Endogenous, exogenous alcohol can be concentrated in the body with the use of medicines such as corvalol, valoserdin, valerian, motherwort tincture. The problem for the driver may even be the use of tobacco products. As practice shows, one recently 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 maternal womb, in particular, by a significant slowdown in metabolic processes.

The consequences of such changes are often manifested by insufficient activity of children in the physical, mental, social spheres. 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 is throughout life.

In conclusion

As you can see, 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 so small amounts that it does not lead to intoxication. In turn, the lack of production of endogenous alcohol as the 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.