Non-alcoholic Risks of Alcoholic Beverages

Overview

Alcoholic beverages are a potential source of numerous health risks. The general risks are well known; first of allthey result fromthe contents of the alcohol and their degree is directly proportional to the amount consumed.However,alcoholic beverages contain also a wide range of non-alcoholic components, which can be a source of health risksas well. Some of these substances work through allergic or pseudoallergic mechanisms and such undesired responsecan appear early after the consumption of a small amount of beverage. The article offers a basic survey of alcoholicbeverages; it mentions important technological procedures of their production stating also the most significantresulting components of their individual types. A special attention is paid to the non-alcoholic components, whichcan be the cause of undesired effects on the human health.

Key words:
alcoholic beverages, allergy, intolerance, carcinogens, saccharides, sulphites, histamine.