The statement of the Chinese Liquor Association that "Chinese Baijiu generally contains plasticizers" made the public pale about plasticizers. Relevant data indicate that plasticizers may lead to a decline in the fertility of adult men, affecting their reproductive health. So, how harmful are the plasticizers in Baijiu to male reproductive health?
Excessive drinking can affect plasticizer excretion
Li Xuede, director of the Guilin Andrology Society, said that plasticizers refer to substances such as "phthalates", which are environmental hormones that play an "estrogen like" role in the human body and can interfere with the body's endocrine system. For men, if the dosage of plasticizers in the body is too high, it will lead to a decline in male reproductive and sexual functions, and in severe cases, it will lead to reproductive diseases such as testicular cancer.
Li Xuede said that the degree of harm of plasticizers to the human body depends on the amount and duration of intake. The plasticizers that enter the human body can be excreted through urine or feces. He said: "If you drink a little Baijiu occasionally, even if you ingest the plasticizer ingredients in Baijiu, with the passage of time and the metabolism of the human body, the plasticizer will also be excreted by the human body."
At the same time, Li Xuede pointed out that if adult men drink a large amount of alcohol for a long time, it will lead to the accumulation of potential environmental hormones in the body, which cannot be discharged in a timely manner. These environmental hormones (such as plasticizers and other estrogens) will stimulate the male reproductive system, block normal cell communication, and further damage the male reproductive ability.
Experts suggest rational drinking
"In medicine, drinking is not conducive to human health and is not worth advocating. However, under the influence of Chinese wine culture, it is impossible to stop people from drinking in modern society." Li Xuede suggested, "while respecting the traditional culture, it is more important to appeal to people to drink rationally. It is better to drink in moderation, and not always try to drink others down, so that perhaps everyone can be less hurt by Baijiu plasticizers."
Experts say long-term heavy drinking can lead to the residual of potential environmental hormones such as plasticizers in the body, damaging male reproductive ability.