SOME POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS
Slow Drinking also means taking the time to correct some popular misconceptions. Here are some updates on everything you need to know about drinking the right way.
MISCONCEPTION N°1
MEN AND WOMEN, WE'RE THE SAME WHEN IT COMES TO ALCOHOL
FALSE
In fact, everyone is different when it comes to alcohol. Blood alcohol levels vary according to many factors, such as the speed with which your liver breaks down alcohol, weight, whether you are taking any medicines and food absorption.
Gender is also one of the factors to take into account. Even though every individual is different, we can also say that, in general, blood alcohol levels rise more easily in women than men.
Managing your consumption
FALSE
In fact, everyone is different when it comes to alcohol. Blood alcohol levels vary according to many factors, such as the speed with which your liver breaks down alcohol, weight, whether you are taking any medicines and food absorption. Gender is also one of the factors to take into account. Even though every individual is different, we can also say that, in general, blood alcohol levels rise more easily in women than men. Managing your consumption
MISCONCEPTION N°2
A CUP OF COFFEE REDUCES YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL.
FALSE
The only thing that reduces the level of alcohol in the blood is time. To give you an idea, a healthy person breaks down 0.10 to 0.15 grams of alcohol per hour per liter of blood.
There is no miracle way of making the level of alcohol in the blood fall. A salted cup of coffee, a spoonful of oil, exercise or a cold shower are no use at all!
FALSE
The only thing that reduces the level of alcohol in the blood is time. To give you an idea, a healthy person breaks down 0.10 to 0.15 grams of alcohol per hour per liter of blood. There is no miracle way of making the level of alcohol in the blood fall. A salted cup of coffee, a spoonful of oil, exercise or a cold shower are no use at all!
MISCONCEPTION N°3
A GLASS OF VODKA CONTAINS MORE ALCOHOL THAN A GLASS OF WINE OR BEER
FALSE
 Just because the degree of alcohol is lower, it doesn't mean that the glass you drink contains any less alcohol! If you serve each drink in its respective glass, you get the same amount of alcohol in each case, one unit. A standard glass of vodka (3 cl at 40°) contains the same unit of alcohol as a glass of wine (10 cl at 12°) or a small glass of beer (25 cl at 5°).
Managing your consumption
FALSE
Just because the degree of alcohol is lower, it doesn't mean that the glass you drink contains any less alcohol! If you serve each drink in its respective glass, you get the same amount of alcohol in each case, one unit. A standard glass of vodka (3 cl at 40°) contains the same unit of alcohol as a glass of wine (10 cl at 12°) or a small glass of beer (25 cl at 5°). Managing your consumption
MISCONCEPTION N°4
ALCOHOL WARMS YOU UP
FALSE
Quite the opposite! It's only an impression. The feeling of warmth is due to the blood vessels beneath the skin dilating. The heat is simply moved from inside the body to the outer layers.
Rather than warming you up, alcohol makes the body's temperature fall by half a degree per fraction of 50g of alcohol absorbed. You think you're warmer but it's an illusion. The heat is masking a general drop in temperature.
FALSE
Quite the opposite! It's only an impression. The feeling of warmth is due to the blood vessels beneath the skin dilating. The heat is simply moved from inside the body to the outer layers. Rather than warming you up, alcohol makes the body's temperature fall by half a degree per fraction of 50g of alcohol absorbed. You think you're warmer but it's an illusion. The heat is masking a general drop in temperature.
MISCONCEPTION N°5
ALCOHOL QUENCHES YOUR THIRST
FALSE
On the contrary! It might seem like you're quenching your thirst but it's actually the opposite. Alcohol dehydrates significantly and it's this dehydration that causes a hangover after a few drinks too many.
FALSE
On the contrary! It might seem like you're quenching your thirst but it's actually the opposite. Alcohol dehydrates significantly and it's this dehydration that causes a hangover after a few drinks too many.
MISCONCEPTION N°6
MIXING ALCOHOL WITH FRUIT JUICE OR WATER REDUCES ITS EFFECTS
FALSE
What matters is the quantity of alcohol absorbed, and that doesn't change if you add water or fruit juice. The alcohol is diluted but it doesn't disappear. An alcoholic beverage contains the same amount of alcohol whether it's neat or diluted, with or without ice.
FALSE
What matters is the quantity of alcohol absorbed, and that doesn't change if you add water or fruit juice. The alcohol is diluted but it doesn't disappear. An alcoholic beverage contains the same amount of alcohol whether it's neat or diluted, with or without ice.
MISCONCEPTION N°7
IT'S OK TO DRIVE AFTER DRINKING, AS LONG AS YOU'VE EATEN
FALSE
Completely false! Eating only slows down the appearance of the effects of alcohol and nothing changes the amount of alcohol absorbed. In fact, everyone reacts differently when it comes to alcohol. Age, gender, and state of health change the way alcohol affects the body. But drinking without eating allows the alcohol to reach the blood stream more quickly, so you feel its effects much faster.
This is what you need to remember: Whether you have eaten or not, you should not drive after having 2 glasses of alcohol, which means 0.5g of alcohol in the blood stream. Simple, isn't it?!
FALSE
Completely false! Eating only slows down the appearance of the effects of alcohol and nothing changes the amount of alcohol absorbed. In fact, everyone reacts differently when it comes to alcohol. Age, gender, and state of health change the way alcohol affects the body. But drinking without eating allows the alcohol to reach the blood stream more quickly, so you feel its effects much faster. This is what you need to remember: Whether you have eaten or not, you should not drive after having 2 glasses of alcohol, which means 0.5g of alcohol in the blood stream. Simple, isn't it?!
MISCONCEPTION N°8
IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO ELIMINATE A GLASS OF ALCOHOL
FALSE
It takes a lot longer than that to eliminate alcohol from the blood! If a standard glass increases the blood alcohol level by 0.15 to 0.20 grams of alcohol per liter of blood, and if a healthy person eliminates 0.10 to 0.15 grams of alcohol per liter of blood, then it takes between 1 and 2 hours for the alcohol to be eliminated.