Is Moderate Drinking Bad for You?

Does it help? Or does it hurt? Drinking alcohol can be good for you and bad for you. It really depends on how much you drink, when you drink, your age, whether you are active and in good shape, among other factors. If you drink too much (over 1 drink/day for women and 2 drinks/day for men), you may run into some of the following health issues:

• Liver disease
• High blood pressure
• High blood fats (triglycerides)
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Fetal alcohol syndrome (if you’re pregnant)
• Certain cancers
• Too many calories- leads to obesity and higher risk of diabetes

However, studies have shown that there are health benefits associated with moderate drinking (1 or less drinks/day for women, 2 or less for men). One main advantage of alcohol consumption is that alcohol can help to raise levels of good cholesterol which can help blood flow smoothly and reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke.

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What Type and When? According to various studies, it doesn’t matter which type of alcohol you prefer (wine, beer, or spirits). Ethanol, or the alcohol component of beer, wine, or spirits is the leading ingredient which can help to lower cholesterol levels. When you drink is also important. If you do consume alcohol, try to make sure you consume it with meals. To get any health benefits from alcohol, you must drink responsibly. That means having no more than 1-2 drinks per day, having them at mealtime and as part of an overall healthy diet, and making sure you aren’t exceeding your calorie needs.