Drinking 101

THE ABUSE of alcohol is the leading risk factor for disability and premature death in the world. Alcohol-related deaths claim almost 80,000 lives each year in the United States alone. Worldwide, it kills 2.5 million annually. Besides the health and psychological impairment among drinkers, the abuse impacts negatively on the family members and society in general.

Here are some frequently asked questions about alcohol and drinking

What are the benefits of heavy drinking?

Drinking heavily does not have any health benefit at all. Drinking socially, in moderation (NOT “moderately” as many wrongly-worded Ads “advocate”), has some beneficial effects on our cardiovascular system. The substance called resveratrol in red wine, especially in Pinot Noir, which has the highest level of this great antioxidant, is good for the heart. Cabernet Sauvignon comes next in line. But abuse, even with red wine, is dangerous to the individual’s liver and brain, and increases the risk for many types of cancer, especially of the esophagus (foodpipe). Heavy drinking also contributes to violence and injuries, at home and in public places, impairment of brain (cognitive) function and increased body weight.

What is drinking in moderation?

Many advertisements for beer and hard drinks have disclaimers in small prints at the bottom that says “Drink moderately,” to imply that they do not want people to drink heavily. But this is wrongly-worded, unless they intentionally mean for people to drink moderately and not lightly (in moderation). The proper wording, if they are really sincere in their concern for people’s health, is to “Drink in moderation.” For those drinking lightly to follow the “admonition to drink moderately,” they have to increase their alcohol consumption.

What are the guidelines?

The U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines define drinking in moderation as “no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Women are considered heavy drinkers if they drink more than three drinks a day on any day or more than seven drinks per week. Men are heavy drinkers if they drink more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 per week. A drink is defined as 0.6 ounces of alcohol–roughly the amount in 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.”

What are the other risks of excessive drinking?

There is a wide range of harmful effects of heavy drinking and even of drinking moderately (one or 2 drinks less than the maximum weekly limit as defined by the guideline above). They include elevated risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, liver cirrhosis, a variety of cancers (mouth, larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon and breasts), and damage to the brain cells. Alcohol abuse can also weaken the heart muscles (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) and cause heart failure. It can also impair the mood, sleep and motor skills, and increase the risk for falls, drowning, and other accidents.

Is alcohol good for the heart?

Drinking alcohol in moderation has been shown to lower the risk of coronary heart disease by increasing the level of the HDL (High Density Lipoprotein or “Good” Cholesterol). The interesting finding is that those drinking in moderation, compared to those who do not drink at all, have “reduced risk of death from all causes in middle-age and older adults.” This could be due to its protective effects on the cardiovascular system.

Is it good for the brain?

Studies have shown that drinking in moderation in adult life reduces the risk for dementia (Alzheimer’s) and cognitive decline. Undisciplined (heavy) drinking has the opposite (harmful) effects.

So, should everybody drink?

Of course, not. Only those who enjoy drinking socially and in moderation should do so. Those who do not enjoy drinking should not start or be encouraged to do so, even for medical (therapeutic) reasons.

What is the effect of alcohol on weight?

Beer has about 149 calories (light is 110) per drink, cocktails like Pina Colada 460 calories, and wine, only 90-95 calories per glass. Alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories. Two glasses of beer have the same calories (300-400) as a double hamburger, two slices of cheese pizza or a roast beef sandwich. Regular drinking can ruin one’s waistline and lead to obesity fast.

What is binge-drinking?

Imbibing four or more drinks on one occasion for women and five or more for men is called binge-drinking, as defined by the US Center for Disease Control. Ninety percent of binge-drinking are among people under age 21. This deleterious habit causes high blood pressure, heart attack, injuries, violence, unintended pregnancy, sexually-transmitted diseases, including AIDS, and suicide among these young adults. Alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol dependency and eventually alcohol addiction or alcoholism, which is a disease.

How dangerous are energy drinks?

Energy drinks (a combination of coffee and alcohol) are unhealthy and dangerous. The caffeine in this concoction masks the effects of alcohol and the person’s level of intoxication. Those consuming any alcoholic drinks are twice as likely to ride with a driver who are intoxicated and be victims of rape and accidents. Women have slower metabolism for alcohol because, compared to men, they have lower water content in their body, and therefore, alcohol stays in their system less diluted, and longer.

Does alcohol reduce prostatic cancer?

Clinical research has shown that “men who drink a glass of red wine a day may cut their risk for prostate cancer by half,” as reported by the National Cancer Institute. The added bonus is the fact that this “may work best for the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer.” Heavy drinking, on the other hand, as we have alluded to earlier, increases the risk for a variety of cancers, among other diseases.

What is the effect on alcohol on sex?

As we have pointed out in previous articles,

alcohol has a two-bladed effect on male sexual performance. Depending on the man’s tolerance to alcohol, one or two drink may set the proper mood and help improve the performance, but more than that can impair it, with the sedation from alcohol. As Shakespeare wrote “alcohol increases the desire, but diminishes the performance.” Obviously, he was referring to the level of alcohol beyond the limit of one’s comfortable tolerance for the occasion.

Which drink is best?

This all depends on personal taste and preference, and also on the occasion. Health and weight considerations are also factors in the choice. For social drinking, or for dinner drinks at home or elsewhere, the choice is the one that gives you pleasure and joy. If you are a diabetic or have heart failure, consult with your physician. Personally, with dinner, I prefer Pinot Noir, and for cocktail, Beefeater’s Martini.

Remember: Don’t drink moderately; drink (lightly) in moderation.

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