사람은 술을 왜 마시는 걸까? 인류의 술의 역사는 적어도 만 년은 더 과거로 거슬러 올라간다. 심지어 정수가 어려웠던 시대에는 오염된 물 대신 술을 마시는 것이 더 안전하다고 여겨졌을 정도다. 14세기 스페인의 아르날더스는 “술이 수명을 늘려주고 나쁜 생각을 없애 주며 심장을 강화시키고 젊음을 유지해 준다”고 말했다고 전해진다. 오늘날에도 사람들은 많은 이유를 대며 술을 마신다. 하지만, 과연 우리가 믿는 사실이 진실일까?(123RF)1. 행복해진다? 술의 에탄올 성분은 행복감을 자극하는 도파민 분비량을 늘린다. 한 잔, 두 잔, 석 잔 마시는 사이 보상 심리가 충족되고 기뻐질 수 있다. 최근 서울대학교 간호대가 집계한 설문조사에 따르면 19세 이상 싱글 여성이 스트레스 해소 목적으로 알코올을 섭취하는 빈도수가 높아지고 있다고 한다. 하지만, 알코올은 중독될 수 있기 때문에 까딱하다가는 알코올이 없을 시 불행하다고 느끼는 단계에 이를 수 있으니 주의하시길.2. 용기를 준다?알코올은

Samsung Electronics Co., South Korea's leading tech company, said Friday it ranked first in a recent reputation survey of young adults in the United States.The Reputation Institute, a U.S. consulting firm, conducted the poll of Americans, aged 18-34, who are called "millenials," in the first quarter of this year, Samsung said in a press release. More than 700 firms were on the list of candidates.It did not specify the number of respondents, however.Samsung was followed by Nike, Johnson & Johnson

South Korea's tax revenue surged greatly from a year earlier in the first four months partly on an increase in corporate and income taxes that may reflect a rise in consumption, the government said Friday.In the January-April period, the government collected 96.9 trillion won ($83.2 billion) in taxes, up 23 percent, or 18.1 trillion won, from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. Ministry of Strategy and Finance in Sejong City (Yonhap)The four-month tally

[THE INVESTOR] The prosecution raided the head office of Lotte Group, the nation’s fifth-largest conglomerate, and its seven affiliates in Seoul on Friday over allegations that they created a multibillion won slush fund through shady asset transfers between subsidiaries as well as possible capital inflow to Japan.(Yonhap)More than 200 investigators combed 17 Lotte offices including residences of Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin and other top executives and the secluded office of Lotte founder Shin K

GS Retail together with Konkuk Milk announced Thursday the launch of YouUs Butter Milk, a honey-butter-milk inspired by the potato chips that stormed Korea with its honey-butter flavor last year. The 300-milliliter milk will sell for 1,000 won (86 centers). It will be available at GS25 convenience stores from Friday and later at GS Super Markets as well.  (GS Retail)GS Retail described the milk as a “dessert latte” that blends the rich taste of French gourmet butter with the aroma of fresh milk.

The Great Korean Beer Festival will once again run this Friday to Sunday at Rose Garden at Everland amusement park, located south of Seoul. The event will be held between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. A total of eight breweries -- B&W Liquor, Goose Island, Muse International, Sun International, Shinhan F&B, Czech Beer International, Jejusien and Sewon International -- and three restaurants -- Pizza Hut, France Gourmet and High Street Market -- will participate. The festival will feature some of the worl

The Galaxy S7's success, according to industry watchers here on Friday, has been due to the combination of three main factors: decent quality, early release and aggressive marketing.Since its debut in March, the new flagship smartphones of Samsung Electronics Co. -- the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge -- have become a global hit, if not a sensation.The combined sales of the two models are estimated to reach 25 million worldwide by the end of June. On Thursday, the South Korean tech giant's share pr