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Summer has arrived, and with it, barbecue and cocktail season has officially begun. It's the perfect time to get together with family or friends for a friendly aperitif followed by a delicious meal.
Be careful, however, with alcoholic beverages, which often grace the aperitif table. Excessive alcohol consumption has immediate and potentially dangerous effects on you and others.
Prevention is better than cure, so here's a reminder of the effects of excessive alcohol consumption this summer and even during all other seasons.
Beer and pastis: what are the health effects?
Beer and pastis are undoubtedly the favorite alcoholic beverages during the summer. However, they can quickly become your enemies if you drink too much. That's why moderation is always recommended. It's therefore important to understand the effects of alcohol on your health.
Acute poisoning
Obviously, a glass of beer or pastis during a summer aperitif won't cause you acute alcohol poisoning. You still need to be careful about overconsumption. It's sometimes easier to have another "small glass" rather than reach for a refreshing alternative drink, but this is where the danger can arise.
Acute alcohol intoxication usually manifests itself through memory impairment, but there are several consequences depending on the degree of intoxication.
Alcohol addiction
Excessive consumption of beer and pastis during summer aperitifs can also lead to alcohol addiction. This is a common alcohol use disorder that threatens the population, especially young people. Alcohol addiction can lead to other neurological problems such as psychosis and dementia.
The risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases
The more alcohol you consume, the greater your risk of developing cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. For example, alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of stroke, pancreatitis, and liver cirrhosis.
Our advice for eating responsibly during barbecues
Now you know some of the effects of excessive alcohol consumption, but how can you ensure you're drinking in moderation? The effects of alcohol consumption don't necessarily prevent you from drinking, but you should always practice moderation.
Count the number of glasses consumed
We recommend always counting the number of alcoholic drinks you consume and setting a limit. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises during summer drinks and barbecues. To drink responsibly, you need to know how to limit your number of drinks.
Remember that 10g of pure alcohol is equivalent to a 10cl glass of 12° wine, a 2,5cl glass of 45° pastis or a 25cl half pint of 5° beer.
Eat an aperitif before drinking
If you're hungry, it's best to snack on something before sipping your glass of pastis this summer. Eating the right foods (eggs, salmon, avocados, etc.) can help mitigate the effects of alcohol. It also allows you to better control your hunger.
The best alternatives to alcoholic drinks
If you want to ensure you're drinking responsibly, it's best to consider alternatives to alcoholic beverages. The simplest alternative is obviously water, but it's not the most festive drink to enjoy during aperitifs and barbecues. Here are some of the best alternatives.
Alcohol-free “alcohols”
More and more beverage manufacturers are offering alternatives to popular alcoholic beverages. These drinks are just as festive and have nothing to envy of their alcoholic cousins. Here are some possibilities:
- Alcohol-free wine;
- Non-alcoholic beer;
- Alcohol-free pastis.
Refreshing fruit mocktails
Have you ever heard of mocktails? These non-alcoholic cocktails are usually made with fruit juices, coffee, tea, and more. There are plenty to choose from. Check out our selection of the best refreshing mocktails for this summer:
- Raspberry mocktail, ginger syrup and grapefruit juice;
- Grenadine syrup, orange and cinnamon mocktail;
- Lemon juice, cucumber and mint leaf mocktail.
