Drinking alcohol at social events or with dinner is something many Americans enjoy doing. But drinking too much at too many social events and dinners can have unpleasant consequences in terms of your physical and emotional health. Keep it moderate for your long-term well-being.
Alcohol in Moderation
The mantra is: "If you choose to drink, do so in moderation." That means one alcoholic drink per day if you're a woman and two if you're a man. One beer is 12 oz., a wine serving is 5 oz, and one 80-proof distilled drink is 1.5 oz. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of alcohol in these beverages is the same, so using this logic, beer is no safer than wine or distilled spirits if you drink the suggested amount. It is the amount of alcohol that you drink that matters, not the type that you drink.
Alcohols Effect in the Body
Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is the active ingredient in alcohol beverages. This substance is toxic to your liver, and it acts as a poison that your body wants to eliminate. The amount and speed of your drinking determines how efficiently your body can process the toxic ingredients. Drinking alcohol on a full stomach helps slow the reaction of your body to the toxin, but the metabolic process is the same once ethanol molecules reach your liver. As you continue to drink, your level of intoxication rises, your brain is impaired, and your liver becomes unable to keep up with the work of eliminating the waste. Drink in moderation to minimize the stress on your liver.
Alcohol for Heart Health
Alcohol is bad for your liver. Some research, however, suggests that a moderate amount of red wine could be good for your heart. Red wine has the substances resveratrol and saponins, which improve cholesterol levels, according to a 2005 study published in the journal "Circulation." This could reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
When Moderation is not Healthy
You shouldn't have alcohol at all if you are pregnant, have a history of heart complications, take medications that interact with the alcohol or have a history of alcoholism. A history of alcoholism includes former heavy use that led to abuse or addiction. If you don't drink, don't start just because a glass of red wine could benefit your heart. Talk with your doctor about drinking and any benefits vs. long-term consequences. Alcohol intoxication impairs your thoughts, coordination, attention and driving skills. Don't drink if you have any plans to drive.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol and Public Health
- Alcohol Research and Health: Health Risks and Benefits of Alcohol Consumption; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Alcohol Use; If You Drink, Keep it Moderate; Mayo Clinic Staff; March 15, 2011
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcoholic Liver Disease; January 2005
- Resonance: The Biochemistry of Alcohol Toxicity; B. Ramachandra Murty; October 2004
- Circulation: Red Wine and Your Heart; Paul E. Szmitko et al; 2005
