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alcohol study

Did you have a heavy weekend on the booze?

Was the couch, a chicken fillet roll and a vomit bucket your best friend for the following day?

As we surface with a hangover from hell, a study has discovered that our alcoholic beverages continues to impact our abilities to function the next day. 

The study showed that as hungover humans, we have poorer attention, memory and psychomotor skills such as coordination and speed when compared to our sober selves.

We believe it; ever attempted to person once the fear hits after a big night out? – Scary stuff.

However, being hungover could potentially have serious repercussions, according to the study.

They found that drivers who use their vehicles whilst they're hanging could have impaired cognitive processes required to navigate the road safely – even if all the alcohol has left their bloodstream.

Additionally, anyone who has been hungover in work knows just how difficult it is to get through the day. 

Researchers have now warned employers to reconsider their policies surrounding alcohol and the next day effects after a drinking session, particularly from safety grounds. 

The study which was published in the journal Addiction from psychologists at the University of Bath, suggested that employees should be aware of the real impacts a hangover can have on your work.

Senior author Dr Sally Adams said: "Our findings demonstrate that hangover can have serious consequences for the performance of everyday activities such as driving and workplace skills such as concentration and memory."

Leader author Craig Gunn of the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath added: "In our review of 19 studies we found that hangover impaired psychomotor speed, short and long term memory and sustained attention. 

"Impaired performance in these abilities reflects poorer concentration and focus, decreased memory and reduced reaction times the day after an evening of heavy drinking. Our review also indicated limited and inconsistent research on alcohol hangover and the need for future studies in the field," he said.

The researchers are now turning their attention towards examining the true health and economic costs of a hangover and the associated risks with the next day effects of heavy drinking.

The study reminds us to think twice about our plans for the next day before heading out to get hammered.

It's probably best to leave your car behind the following day and attempt to bum a lift from a sober friend or family member.

Additionally, the safest place for you to nurse a hangover is in a dark room, under the covers in your bed – so prepare ahead of time if you decide to go hard on the alcohol. 

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It seems we are fond of our drink.

Our cheeky glass of wine or night out with the gals have earned us a reputation of drinking more daily, than our male counterparts on an international scale.

A study conducted by the University of Washington, says Irish women are consuming three alcoholic beverages a day. 

Whereas the lads aren't so thirsty – having around four and a half drinks a day.

In fact, Irish men don't even make it into the top ten for male drinking on a global scale.

However, we are now seventh in the world for our daily consumption of alcohol.- Opps.

The Global Burden of Diseases study was completed by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), warns us to watch our wine.

The study said our habit of having a cheeky glass of wine could be very deceptive.

Unbeknownst to women, instead of having one measure we could actually be pouring ourselves three measures in one glass of wine. 

The scientists compiled figures from 694 data sources and 592 studies to gather information on 195 countries from 1990 to 2016.

The countries with the biggest death rates associated to alcohol among 15 to 49-year-olds in 2016, were Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Mongolia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Burundi, and the Central African Republic.

Kuwait, Iran, Palestine, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Syria, the Maldives and Singapore had the lowest rates of death in the same year.

According to their findings which was published in the Lancet journal, even one daily drink could potentially increase the chances of contracting 23 alcohol-related health problems.

Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 percent of global deaths among populations aged 15–49 years, says the study.

In 2016, 2.8 million deaths were attributed to alcohol use and it was ranked as the seventh leading risk factor for premature death and disability, according to the report.

“The health risks associated with alcohol are massive,” said Dr Emmanuela Gakidou of the IHME and the senior author of the study.

“Our findings are consistent with other recent research, which found clear and convincing correlations between drinking and premature death, cancer, and cardiovascular problems.

"Zero alcohol consumption minimises the overall risk of health loss.”

Currently, most alcohol guidelines says there are health benefits associated with consuming up to two drinks per day. 

However, the researchers insist that their findings show that the safest level of drinking is none.  

“There is a compelling and urgent need to overhaul policies to encourage either lowering people’s levels of alcohol consumption or abstaining entirely,” she said.

“The myth that one or two drinks a day are good for you is just that – a myth. This study shatters that myth.”

Kiss goodbye to the naggins, shoulders and bottles of wine.

If this study is to be heeded: It's time we clean up our act or it could lead us to some serious health problems.

And to make matters worse: the weekend is only hours away.

 

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