Millions of social drinkers operate under a common illusion: abstaining from Monday through Thursday grants a license to indulge freely on Friday and Saturday. But a cardiologist has warned that ‘saving up’ your alcohol allowance for the end of the week carries severe, unexpected costs for your heart and liver. Also read | Weekend binge drinking or daily alcohol? Cardiologist reveals which habit is more harmful to the heart
the vast majority of alcohol-related harms stem from heavy episodic or continuous drinking While the WHO shared that alcohol consumption carries health risks even at low levels. Effective public health policies exist to curb these numbers, but health experts stress that individual awareness remains the first line of defence. That concentrated spike in consumption alters the body’s internal chemistry far more dramatically than a single, mid-week glass of wine. Dr Menon pointed out that sharp spikes in blood alcohol levels trigger a cascade of systemic issues, including ‘greater oxidative stress, increased inflammation, more liver toxicity, and greater cardiovascular strain’. Moreover, the short-term consequences of a weekend blowout extend far beyond a standard hangover. Rapidly elevating your blood alcohol level can destabilise your heart’s natural rhythm and spike your blood pressure. ⦿ Don’t ‘save up’ drinks for the weekend. Consuming your weekly total across one or two nights creates a spike in toxicity that your body cannot easily process.
“Weekend drinking in moderation shouldn’t be a major health risk,” Dr Ajit Menon, director of cardiology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, told HT Lifestyle in an interview. “However, weekend binge drinking , which is 4-5 drinks in one sitting, can create issues affecting both the heart and the liver,” he added.
⦿ Eat before and while drinking. Food in the stomach slows down the rate of alcohol absorption, preventing rapid surges in blood alcohol concentration.
