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  • Welcome back, dear listeners.

  • This is the 8-Minute English Podcast series on the Learn English Podcast channel.

  • I'm your host, Nathan, and I'm thrilled to have you joining us once again.

  • In this episode, we're going to explore a topic that often sparks a lot of discussion: Is alcohol good or bad?

  • From social events to personal health, alcohol is important in many cultures around the world.

  • But is it truly a friend or an enemy?

  • Today, we will hear from two friends sharing their thoughts on how alcohol affects our daily lives.

  • Bonus alert!

  • We've also prepared a free PDF packed with vocabulary and helpful tips for this episode to enhance your learning.

  • Make sure you don't miss it.

  • Are you ready for the discussion? Let's tune in.

  • Cheers, Joe. So, red wine again next Saturday?

  • You know it! Studies say it's good for the heart, right?

  • Right. Some studies say that moderate drinking, like a glass of wine, can help lower the risk of heart disease.

  • But too much alcohol can be bad news. - True.

  • I wouldn't want to deal with another hangover like last week's.

  • Yeah, those are rough. But it's not just hangovers.

  • Drinking too much can lead to serious health problems, like liver damage and risks of certain cancers.

  • It's truly important to find the right balance when it comes to alcohol.

  • Definitely, moderation seems to be key.

  • Speaking of hangovers, remember that time at Sarah's after-work drinks?

  • It was the worst hangover.

  • I felt so much better being sober the next day.

  • But you know what?

  • In the moment, it was a blast.

  • We were all having a great time, cracking jokes and just having fun.

  • It's like alcohol has the power to make everything more fun and exciting.

  • It's like a way to start conversations, you know?

  • Yeah, it can be a nice way to start talking and feel more relaxed with others.

  • But like everything, too much can have the opposite effect.

  • Things can get a little messy when there's too much alcohol involved.

  • Yeah, like when people get into fights or say things they regret when they're drunk.

  • People like those should be more careful about their actions when they drink.

  • On a different note, have you ever noticed how some cultures seem much more relaxed about drinking than others?

  • I do notice the difference.

  • In places like Italy or France, wine is almost like a normal part of meals.

  • But then there are cultures where drinking is more restricted, like in many Muslim countries.

  • I see. It's all about the cultural norm and value that shape how people think about alcohol.

  • And speaking of alcohol, have you ever thought about how it affects our mental health?

  • Oh, for sure.

  • I mean, a couple of drinks can help you relax and unwind after a long day, right?

  • Yeah, that's true. It can feel like a temporary escape from stress or anxiety.

  • But on the flip side, too much drinking can make mental health problems worse, like depression or anxiety.

  • It's truly a double-edged sword.

  • It's good to have some rules about drinking alcohol.

  • Speaking of rules, what about alcohol and the law?

  • There are rules in place to make sure drinking is done responsibly, right?

  • Absolutely. There are legal rules about how alcohol is used.

  • These include the legal age for drinking and laws against driving under the influence of alcohol.

  • Absolutely no excuse for that.

  • It puts everyone on the road at risk.

  • But beyond the legal stuff, I think it all comes down to personal responsibility.

  • Yeah, we can't mess with alcohol like personal treat.

  • Absolutely.

  • We should always know our limits and make responsible choices.

  • Chloe and Joe's conversation has provided a lot of useful information on alcohol, right?

  • Now, let's move on to the next part.

  • Let's talk about some important words related to alcohol.

  • The first word is hangover.

  • A hangover is when you feel bad after drinking too much alcohol.

  • Hangovers happen because you drank too much.

  • The next word is damage.

  • The word damage means harm or injury that makes something less useful or valuable.

  • For example, if you drop your phone and the screen breaks, the phone has damage.

  • It's not as good as before because of the harm.

  • Next, we have sober.

  • Being sober means you are not drunk.

  • People are sober when they haven't had alcohol for a while.

  • Now, let's talk about moderation.

  • Moderation means drinking alcohol but not too much.

  • Drinking a little like a glass of red wine at dinner can be good for your heart.

  • The phrase a double-edged sword means something that has both good and bad effects.

  • Imagine a sword that can cut from both sides.

  • While it might be more useful in a fight because it can cut in two ways, it's also more dangerous to the person using it because they can easily hurt themselves.

  • So when something is a double-edged sword, it can help but also cause problems.

  • Let's listen to Joe and Chloe's conversation again, and this time, try to identify these words.

  • Let's look at two important questions about our topic.

  • The first question: should alcohol be completely banned or should people have the freedom to drink it responsibly?

  • For me, banning alcohol completely seems too strict.

  • People who can handle it responsibly should be allowed to enjoy it in moderation.

  • The second question: how can we have fun at parties with alcohol but still drink responsibly?

  • I think the answer is to know your limits and have other drink options.

  • Having tasty non-alcoholic drinks or sparkling water available keeps the fun going in a safe way

  • Let's share your thoughts on these questions.

  • Please leave your comments below and let's talk about it.

  • Before wrapping up today's episode, let's explore some of the fun facts about alcohol.

  • In Russia, vodka is their national drink, and there's a practical reason for that.

  • Vodka can withstand freezing cold temperatures without turning into an ice cube.

  • Perfect for those long snowy nights.

  • The next one is for beer lovers.

  • Believe it or not, beer is actually one of the most popular drinks in the world, right alongside water and tea.

  • Now, this one might seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning.

  • While some people might have a drink to cope with negative experiences, alcohol is actually a depressant.

  • So, if you're feeling down, maybe stick to tea. It won't bring you down further.

  • Now, all these fun facts aside, it's important to remember that alcohol is a substance that needs to be treated with caution.

  • Always drink responsibly, know your limits, and pace yourself.

  • And that's the end of our episode for today.

  • Goodbye and see you again.

Welcome back, dear listeners.

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