Is Alcohol Good for Your Health?
INTRODUCTION
Is alcohol good for your health? For many reasons, this is a question without simple or clear-cut answers. Humans have used alcohol safely and enjoyably for thousands of years, and it continue to occupy an important place in many religious ceremonies and social celebrations. In addition, moderate alcohol use can provide certain health benefits, particularly with regard to coronary heart disease. However, alcohol consumption is also associated with serious risks. Drinking too much alcohol contributes to accidents and injuries and can lead to liver disease, certain types of stroke, high blood pressure, various cancers, and birth defects, among other health problems. Thus, understanding the possible risks and benefits of alcohol is essential to make an informed decision about alcohol use.
DEFINITIONS
In general, studies that evaluate the health effects of alcohol designate different drinking patterns (eg, heavy, moderate, or light drinking) based upon the number of drinks consumed per day or week. Alcoholic drinks come in multiple forms and contain differing amounts of pure alcohol (ethanol); one portion of alcohol is defined as approximately 10 to 15 grams of ethanol, which can be found in one 12 ounce bottle or can of beer, one 5 ounce serving of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. The specific ranges used to describe different drinking patterns vary depending upon the study in question. Generally, moderate alcohol intake is defined as three to nine drinks per week. HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ALCOHOL Multiple studies suggest that various levels of alcohol use, or abstaining from drinking, affect the risk of certain health conditions.
Low risk
Drinking small amounts of alcohol can be a pleasant social activity for many people. Indeed drinking small quantities of alcohol can reduce the risk of heart disease for older people if it does not conflict with any medication being taken.
The following information is based on units
Is alcohol good for your health? For many reasons, this is a question without simple or clear-cut answers. Humans have used alcohol safely and enjoyably for thousands of years, and it continue to occupy an important place in many religious ceremonies and social celebrations. In addition, moderate alcohol use can provide certain health benefits, particularly with regard to coronary heart disease. However, alcohol consumption is also associated with serious risks. Drinking too much alcohol contributes to accidents and injuries and can lead to liver disease, certain types of stroke, high blood pressure, various cancers, and birth defects, among other health problems. Thus, understanding the possible risks and benefits of alcohol is essential to make an informed decision about alcohol use.
DEFINITIONS
In general, studies that evaluate the health effects of alcohol designate different drinking patterns (eg, heavy, moderate, or light drinking) based upon the number of drinks consumed per day or week. Alcoholic drinks come in multiple forms and contain differing amounts of pure alcohol (ethanol); one portion of alcohol is defined as approximately 10 to 15 grams of ethanol, which can be found in one 12 ounce bottle or can of beer, one 5 ounce serving of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. The specific ranges used to describe different drinking patterns vary depending upon the study in question. Generally, moderate alcohol intake is defined as three to nine drinks per week. HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ALCOHOL Multiple studies suggest that various levels of alcohol use, or abstaining from drinking, affect the risk of certain health conditions.
Low risk
Drinking small amounts of alcohol can be a pleasant social activity for many people. Indeed drinking small quantities of alcohol can reduce the risk of heart disease for older people if it does not conflict with any medication being taken.
The following information is based on units