Health Risks and Benefits of Drinking Alcohol

We've all heard there are some health benefits to drinking a few glasses of wine or other alcoholic beverages once in awhile. As the descendant from a long line of alcoholics, I've only ever seen the health risks involved with drinking alcohol. And that's why I think it's so important to put out all the information on this subject. The key, as with anything, is moderation as well as knowing what the benefits are, the risks of heavy alcohol use and what situations to avoid drinking alcohol completely.

Recommendations for moderate alcohol intake: The recommendation is up to one drink a day per women and two for me. An example of one drink would be a twelve-ounce bottle or mug of beer; a five-ounce glass of wine; or a 1.5 ounce drink with hard alcohol.

Benefits of alcohol: If a person isn't already drinking, it isn't advised he start just to gain any health benefits. But for those who do drink alcohol some of the benefits of moderate drinking include:

• reduce the risk of developing heart disease or having heart attacks;

• may reduce risk of strokes;

• lowers chances of developing gallstones;

• shown to reduce risk of developing diabetes.

Now, of course, if you already have diseases in any of the above areas, drinking alcohol wouldn't be a benefit but put you more at risk of worsening or developing these diseases.

People who should avoid drinking alcohol completely include: women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant; drivers or operators of heavy equipment; patients on medications strictly stating not to drink alcohol while on the drugs; those who've suffered strokes; those with liver or pancreatic disorders; those with weak hearts or have heart disease; and those who suffer with alcoholism.

Heavy drinking can hurt: Although the occasional drink may carry some benefits, heavy alcohol us can damage your body in many ways. Some of these risks include:

• developing certain kinds of cancer such as oral, digestive, throat, breast or liver cancer;

• Fetal alcohol syndrome or other damage to unborn babies when women drink during pregnancy;

• Heart disease or heart muscle damage

• Stroke

• Pancreatitis;

• Cirrhosis;

• Depression;

• High blood pressure; or

• Death.

Don't start drinking just to gain any possible health benefits listed here. There are many more benefits to eating healthy, reducing stress and exercising than drinking alcohol. But if you do choose to drink, be sure to do it in moderation. As the saying goes: "Drink in moderation or not at all."

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SOURCES:
MayoClinic.com - Alcohol Use: If you drink, keep it moderate (March 15, 2011)