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Mail & Guardian
07-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Here's the drinking conversation we need to have
Telling most South Africans they can't drink is a nonstarter. But what we all do need to know is just how dangerous it is — and what we can do to curb it. (Canva) It sounds macho, but there's science behind the idea that bigger men are better at holding their drink. Size matters. A larger person absorbs more alcohol into their body tissue so that means that less goes to their brain, which is when you start to feel its effects. Sex matters, too. It generally takes less alcohol for a female to get drunk than a male. This is But those aren't the only reasons it's hard to predict exactly how much alcohol you can safely drink. It also depends on how long it will take for your body to process it and the amount of pure drinking alcohol (ethanol) that is in your drink. That is measured by In A useful guide to safer drinking is a For example, I weigh 85kg. An hour after drinking two glasses of wine, my BAC is about 0.03%, low enough for me to legally drive home. But if my wife, who weighs 61kg, drinks two glasses of wine over the same time, her BAC would be 0.056%, which is above the While you might only feel really drunk at a BAC of No safe amount In fact, the The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has produced an excellent A 2025 report on alcohol and cancer risk from the Heavy drinking In a 2024 global report on alcohol and health, the WHO estimated that A study published in the South African Medical Journal in 2018 found that Young people are at especially high risk. Using figures from the But it's the immediate effects of heavy drinking that are most devastating for both the individual and society. In a global analysis of alcohol and risk of injuries, researchers found that after having four or five drinks, you're at The risk curve for alcohol is exponential, meaning that the rate of harm increases with every drink. But every legal drink also contributes to jobs, tourism and taxes. In fact, Moderation The findings present a dilemma for public health advocates in South Africa. On the one hand, we must inform the public that even one drink a day can have serious health consequences for an individual. On the other, drinking patterns here are so extreme that a call for such drastic reduction in drinking would be scoffed at. While there is no doubt that heavy drinking is both bad for society and bad for the economy, we don't need to smash the liquor industry to combat heavy drinking. But we must intervene to optimise its social and economic benefits. Based on the Limit the advertising and promotion of alcohol, which Close on-consumption liquor outlets (taverns and bars) at midnight, as required by the Introducing minimum unit pricing so that liquor cannot be sold extra cheaply in poorer communities, which Inequality in South Africa is so severe that it's hard to make a dent in the armour-proofed vehicles of violence — crime, toxic masculinity and the devaluation of human life. But we can starve them of their fuel, if our political leaders are informed and brave enough to act, to change our culture of heavy drinking in South Africa to one of moderation. David Harrison is a medical doctor and the chief executive officer at the , a public innovator based in Cape Town. This story was produced by the . Sign up for the .
The South African
25-06-2025
- Health
- The South African
Sex pills in South Africa: The truth every man must know
Erectile dysfunction (ED) doesn't just happen once. The South African Family Practice journal (2019) and the South African Medical Journal (2024) say that this medical condition is linked to poor blood flow, diabetes, or stress and can be treated with sex pills depending on the cause. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), also called an enzyme, controls blood flow pressure in the lungs, blood vessels, and penis. PDE5 pills like Viagra (sildenafil) improve blood flow to the penis, but using them without a medical diagnosis hides the cause and could delay getting the right medical care or make health problems worse. As of 2025, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved three ED drugs: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). These medications work by improving blood flow during arousal. Herbal sex pills, often sold online, remain unregulated and unsupported by any peer-reviewed evidence. According to Basic and Clinical Andrology, sex pills for ED should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before sex and no more than once every 24 hours. Never mix them with alcohol, nitrates, or energy drinks; the combination can dangerously lower your blood pressure. Common side effects from misuse include headaches, flushing, and blurred vision. SAHPRA issued a public alert in 2019 warning against unregistered erectile dysfunction (ED) pills sold online. Researchers found many to be counterfeit, some lacking active ingredients and others containing undeclared, harmful substances. International health agencies, including the FDA, have confirmed similar risks. Doctors warn that using sex pills recreationally, especially without a prescription, may lead to psychological dependence in younger men. Often sold illegally, these products circumvent safety regulations and pose serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers across South Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
