Strong alcohol is believed to help overcome fear, stress and cold. However, doctors around the world agree that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is one of the most serious causes of high mortality, especially in developing countries. How to avoid addiction, but at the same time to cheer up and feel more confident? The point is in what quantities and how strong alcohol enters the body. A single intake of 30-50 ml of alcohol leads to an increase in efficiency, causes a doping effect – all body systems are activated, 400-500 grams of alcohol (a liter of vodka) drunk within half an hour is considered a lethal dose for a person. An empty stomach, heat, stagnant air intensify the effects of alcohol and lead to a more pronounced toxic effect. Hot food reduces its effect on the body several times more than cold food. Among the strong drinks in Russia, the most popular is vodka, in France – cognac, in Holland – gin, in Scotland – whiskey.
Vodka consists of water, alcohol and impurities, sometimes with fruit additives and spices, for example, hot pepper is added to vodka; in medieval Russia, vodka for women was sweetened with molasses. The alcohol content in this drink ranges from 40 to 56 percent. Initially, vodka was made by distilling mash – the result of fermentation of grain products through a moonshine unit. After the invention of rectification – mixing of liquids by evaporation and condensation, it became easier to obtain pure alcohol, then diluting it with water. This eliminated many harmful impurities from the drink. Classic vodka is then additionally refined with milk or silver, while making special vodka, flavors are simply added to eliminate the taste and smell of impurities. Vodka is one of the best means for warming the body after a sudden hypothermia, for example, in winter frosts or in cold water, in addition, it is often used to disinfect cuts or small wounds in the absence of other medicines. This drink is contraindicated for people with liver and kidney disease.
Cognac produced from certain grape varieties strictly regulated by French law, primarily from yuny blanc – a variety that ripens throughout the fall, has good resistance to pests, frost and has a specific sour taste. Small private farms also grow foil blanche and montil. For the first time, cognac was obtained in the XNUMXth century by Dutch merchants who were working on a technology that would allow them to transport French wine over long distances, primarily to Northern Europe, but so that it does not lose its taste. As a result of two stages of wine distillation, and then aging in oak barrels, a completely new, stronger drink was obtained, the production of which was adopted and improved by the French themselves. Cognac dilates blood vessels, lowering pressure, and promotes the secretion of gastric juice. A few drops of brandy with sugar or on a piece of refined sugar can help with an attack of angina pectoris or a severe headache. This drink is contraindicated for hypertension and stomach diseases.
Brandy – any strong drink obtained by distillation from grape wine, fruits or berries. In addition to cognac and Armagnac, this type includes sherry brandy – a traditional Spanish drink with a strength of 35-45 degrees, it is produced only in Andalusia, the Greek brandy Metaxa, named after the founder of the company Spyros Metaxa, and an Armenian brandy, mistakenly called cognac in the USSR. Among the fruit brandies, the most famous are French calvados, obtained by distilling cider from special small apples with a strong tart aroma, Czech plum brandy made from plum juice, up to 52 percent alcohol, framboise made from red and orange raspberries, Slovak boletus made from juniper berries.
rum made from sugarcane syrup, which after distillation is also aged for several years in oak barrels. The homeland and main place of production of this drink is the Caribbean Islands and South America. Long-aged rum is used in its pure form; it is traditionally served with ice. Light rum is used to make cocktails, gold and dark rum is used in cooking. There is rum with additions of mango, orange, coconut, lemon.
Whiskey – a traditional drink of Ireland and Scotland, obtained by distilling wheat or rye grains. It has a strength of up to 60 percent and contains practically no sugar. The Irish insist that the whiskey was St. Patrick’s, but it is more likely that the recipe was brought to the British Isles from the mainland by Christian missionaries who replaced grapes with cereals. Many cocktails are made from whiskey.