Alcohol

If You Drink Alcohol, Do So in Moderation

ALCOHOL REDUCES THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE

People who drink alcohol moderately (about one to two drinks per day) have a 30-50% lower risk of heart disease than non-drinkers. Most likely, this is due to the ability of alcohol to increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. Alcohol also seems to reduce the stickiness of platelets in the blood, thereby helping to prevent blood clots that cause heart attacks and stroke. Nonetheless, you can reduce your risk of heart disease without drinking at all.

ALCOHOL AND WEIGHT GAIN

Remember, alcohol can lead to weight gain since alcoholic beverages can add many calories to your diet. Alcohol also affects appetite such that you may end up overeating. Are people who drink beer more likely to have a ‘beer belly’? No. Most studies have found that alcoholic beverages are no more likely to cause weight gain than other caloric beverages. The ‘beer belly’ comes into being when more calories are consumed from all foods than calories burned.

A CAUTIONARY NOTE

Recent studies have shown that the risk of breast cancer increases in women relative to the amount of alcohol they consume. Excess alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of health, psychological, spiritual, and financial consequences.

Talk to your doctor about how drinking alcohol may impact your particular health concerns.

It is recommended that alcohol be limited to one drink a day for women, and two drinks a day for men. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.
12 ounces of beer	4 ounces of wine	1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits