It’s normal to drink alcohol, especially in social settings. Alcohol helps some people lower inhibitions and act more relaxed, making it easier for them to socialize.
Some alcohol drinkers drink to challenge themselves. Their motto is usually “the stronger the alcohol, the better.” Unfortunately, this old-fashioned mentality goads people, typically young adults, to drink considerably more than they should or can, which often leads to accidents or health concerns.
When these people talk about solid alcohol, it is guaranteed that ethanol will come up in the conversation.
What Is Ethanol?
Ethanol, also called grain alcohol, is a clear liquid without a distinct taste or smell. It is generally made from fermented grains or fruits like corn. Ethanol has a minimum of 95% alcohol by volume in its purest form.
Due to how strong ethanol is, even companies that manufacture it strongly discourage drinking it by itself. Ethanol is commonly used as a base for safer drinks like whiskey and liqueurs.
What Are the Other Uses of Ethanol?
While ethanol isn’t recommended for consumption, it has other industrial uses.
First, the ethanol industry is a crucial contributor to the energy strategies of several countries. Its market is so big that factories continuously find ways to increase production capacity while reducing costs.
Ethanol can produce biodiesel and power fuel cells. Yes, the same alcohol that some people push down their throats is potent enough to create gasoline. Ethanol fuel is produced through repeated distillation using molecular sieve columns.
In hospitals and laboratories, ethanol is used to disinfect surfaces and surgical instruments. Just 70% ethanol is enough to kill most common viruses and bacteria.
Should You Still Drink Ethanol?
With all these in mind, there’s still a good chance you might drink ethanol, although not necessarily on purpose.
Whether you drink beer, whiskey, or wine, they all have ethanol in the mix; only the percentage differs. You can measure beer’s ethanol content, but it’s usually only as low as 3% to 9%, far from the near-toxic strengths of pure ethanol.
For best results, don’t think of ethanol as a finished drink. Drinking a toned-down version is fine, but uncontrolled ethanol consumption can cause serious health concerns and death. It is also linked to alcohol addiction and alcohol use disorders. There are multiple reasons why drinking ethanol is illegal in many states.
If you are still somehow tempted to drink ethanol, visualize this instead. Ethanol is a few added chemicals away from being a deodorant, pesticide, air freshener, disinfectant, or fuel. In other words, there are much better uses for it outside drinking, and you should do yourself a favor and find a safer alternative.
