No matter if you’re tired and enjoy a glass of pure wine with your day or you’re at a party having
fun with your friend, it’s normal now to enjoy a drink now and then. Well, drinking often won’t kill
you, but it has some severe effects on your body. So, if you’re wondering, “Does alcohol thin
your blood?” the answer is YES! Now, you must be thinking about how alcohol can thin your
blood. Let’s dive into this blog and discuss it in detail.
How Many Drinks Do You Have to Have Before You Are Drunk?
Do you know that when you drink, your body quickly absorbs the alcohol into your digestive
tract? The liver filters it out of the bloodstream before it can enter the brain. Only glucose,
adipose tissue, and water can be stored in the body; everything else is eliminated. Sounds
horrifying? Well, that’s the truth!
The human body cannot retain alcohol; therefore, any alcoholic beverage consumed is digested
quickly. For this reason, a heavy drinking session can leave you feeling sluggish and full. So, be
wary lest your fun turns into a nightmare. The effects on the human body are quite similar to
those of a toxin. The liver filters blood well, but it can only handle so much booze before it shuts
down. More than it can process will enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain, which
will start to have an intoxicating effect.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Well, I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy hangovers and fun
with your friends. But remember, there is a limit. Moderate drinking means consuming no more
alcohol in a given day than the liver can metabolize. Every two hours it takes the liver around
two hours to process and eliminate almost all the alcohol from one drink. So, watch out before
having another class of your favorite drink!
According to the NIAAA, a standard drink is 5 ounces of wine, which is about 12% alcohol, 12
ounces of beer, which is about 5% alcohol, and 1.5 ounces of distilled liquor, which is about
40% alcohol. See… you can have your drink without worrying about being over-intoxicated and
risking your life.
How Can Alcohol Thin Your Blood?
Let’s understand this part with an example. Suppose you got into an accident and got injured.
Platelets, specialized blood cells, rush to your injured area. To some extent, the cells prefer to
stick together and form colonies. Platelet-derived clotting factors include a plug to stop bleeding.
A successful clotting time is indicated when bleeding ceases. But a clot might form in, or find its
way to, an artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to your heart or brain. In medical terms, blood
clotting is referred to as “thrombosis.” If a clot blocks blood flow to the heart, a heart attack may
result. If the brain’s blood supply is suddenly cut off, a stroke may ensue. You might be thinking
about how it can be related to alcohol and blood thinning. Well, alcohol interferes with the
clotting process in quite a similar way. Do you want to know how? Let me explain!
● First of all, alcohol lowers platelet counts by stifling the creation of new blood cells in the
bone marrow.
● Secondly, it reduces stickiness in the remaining platelets.
A glass or two of wine per day can reduce the risk of heart disease and ischemic strokes, much
like taking aspirin daily may reduce the risk of ischemic strokes. But wait…don’t get too excited.
Having more than 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks daily can increase the risk of stock that can cause by
brain bleeding. So, don’t go over the limit!
Can You Take Blood Thinners and Still Drink Alcohol?
Consult your physician about whether or not it is okay to drink alcohol while taking blood
thinners. Consuming alcohol and using blood thinners like warfarin have the same effect. Taking
both simultaneously may make you more likely to bleed because they both stop blood from
clotting. Alcohol slows blood-thinning medication elimination. This may cause harmful body
accumulation. And no one wants to get harmed, right?
While on blood thinners, drink responsibly. For 65-year-olds, that’s one drink per day. Men under
65 should drink two drinks per day.
The Bottom Line
You know what, no one is stopping you from having a party and enjoying a couple of drinks.
When consuming alcoholic drinks, moderation is key. Have no more than two drinks each day.
Ask your doctor whether it’s okay for you to drink alcohol if you have a medical condition like
diabetes or kidney problems.
Consult a medical professional about your vascular health. Find out whether you have a high
risk of developing cardiovascular disease or a stroke. If so, research possible preventive
actions. Well, in the end, health is wealth!