If you’ve ever given blood you’ll know how difficult it can be to stop. The after-effects of donating blood can be even more intense. Drinking a glass of wine, having a beer or two, is perfectly fine as a healthy alternative to a glass of wine, beer, or spirits. However, when you drink wine, beer or spirits it becomes a “red wine, white wine, beer” or “meat or fish” type of drinking. This is because the type of wine, beer, or spirits you have will alter the effect it has on the body. In this article, we answer the frequently asked questions about drinking after donating blood.
Can You Drink After Giving Blood?
Yes, you can drink a glass of wine, beer, or spirits as an alternative to drinking wine, beer, or spirits. However, when you drink these types of drinks it becomes a “red wine, white wine, beer” or “meat or fish” type of drinking. This is because the type of wine, beer, or spirits you have will alter the effect it has on the body.
Should You Drink After Giving Blood?
- Alcohol in the body can be broken down into acetyl-CoA and then into acetate. Acetate is a byproduct of alcohol metabolism and is also a product of drinking alcohol. Therefore, drinking after donating blood can actually cause a rise in your blood alcohol levels, causing you to have more ‘effects’ than you might normally have after having a glass or two.
- The body uses up its supply of iron, which is stored in the red blood cells. This means that after donating blood you will be low on iron for the next few weeks and this can cause dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Drinking alcohol can increase these effects so it would be best to avoid it for at least 4 hours before donating blood so that your body has enough iron stored up to deal with any potential effects from the consumption of alcohol.
- You may experience side effects such as headaches and nausea as well as general weakness due to low iron levels after giving blood. These side effects should disappear once your iron levels return to normal.
- Alcohol consumption can cause the red blood cells to clump together in the body, which can lead to a serious condition called thrombocytopenia. This is a very serious condition and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Drinking alcohol after donating blood will increase your chances of suffering from thrombocytopenia because it increases the number of red blood cells in the body, leading to more clumping together and a greater chance of thrombocytopenia occurring. It is, therefore, best to avoid drinking alcohol for at least 4 hours before giving blood so that any potential side effects can be avoided, including thrombocytopenia.
- The presence of alcohol in your system will also cause all donated blood you have given over the last 6 months to be destroyed unless you have stored it properly (see below). If this happens you will need to donate again in order to replenish your supply.
- The presence of alcohol in your system can also cause a drop in the number of red blood cells in your body and also a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in the body). This can lead to low blood pressure, which can be very dangerous for people who have just given blood because it means that their blood pressure could drop dangerously low, causing them to faint or even pass out. It is therefore important that you avoid drinking alcohol for at least 4 hours before donating blood so that you do not experience any of these effects.
Should You Eat After Giving Blood?
- You can eat after donating blood.
- Don’t eat too much, especially after giving blood on an empty stomach.
- If you are going to have a meal, do not have it right after donating blood or right before going to bed.
- Eat something nutritious as soon as you can, such as a bowl of cereal or some fruit and nuts. The energy you need to give is the same as the energy you need to repair the body and provide essential nutrients to keep your body running smoothly 24/7 and it is essential that you give yourself enough time to digest your food before donating blood again!
- If you decide to have a snack, do not have it before donating blood or right after! It is best if your snack is taken at least 30 minutes before if possible so that your body has had time for digestion and absorption of any nutrients from the food you are eating (which may be affected by what you ate before giving blood).
The Aftermath Of Giving Blood
- Drinking a glass of wine, having a beer or two, is perfectly fine as a healthy alternative to a glass of wine, beer, or spirits. However, when you drink wine, beer or spirits it becomes a “red wine, white wine, beer” or “meat or fish” type of drinking. This is because the type of wine, beer, or spirits you have will alter the effect it has on the body.
- There is no reason to avoid drinking alcohol. If you do so it will only make the after-effects worse.
- If you feel the urge to drink, then just have a couple of glasses of wine, beer, or spirits before going to bed. This will help you get through the night and feel better in the morning.
- On another note, by donating blood, you are helping people with blood disorders and other illnesses which could’ve been life-threatening if they didn’t receive blood transfusions. So drink up!
Benefits Of Drinking After Giving Blood
There are many benefits to drinking wine, beer, or spirits after giving blood. Here are six of the most common:
- You’ll feel more relaxed and healthy after donating blood.
- You may feel a bit dizzy or lightheaded after drinking wine, beer or spirits. This is because alcohol can affect your brain in a way that can be confusing and unsteady.
- It’s important to drink plenty of fluids when you’re recovering from the donation. Wines and beers have a high water content, which can make you feel heavy and sluggish.
- You should avoid drinking red wines, white wines, and beers until you’ve had time to digest them properly. This is because these wines alter the effect they have on the body in a way that can be harmful.
- If you drink too much red wine, white wine, or beer within minutes of giving blood, it could increase your risk of developing the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a serious virus that can be fatal if contracted while living with hepatitis C virus infection.
- Drinking lots of fluids will help you maintain a healthy weight after donation and reduce your risk of developing chronic illnesses such as obesity or heart disease later on in life
Disadvantages Of Drinking After Giving Blood
- When you drink wine, beer or spirits it becomes a “red wine, white wine, beer” or “meat or fish” type of drinking.
- This is because the type of wine, beer, or spirits you have will alter the effect it has on the body.
- In this article, we answer the frequently asked questions about drinking after donating blood.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the after-effects of giving blood will vary depending on the individual. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and benefits of drinking after giving blood, so that you can make an informed decision.