Is alcohol healthy a healthy choice?

We wouldn’t want to call alcohol a healthy beverage choice, but it does have some benefits (and risks).

moderate

moderate

If you are a woman, that means 1 drink or less per day. For a man, it is 2 or fewer drinks per day.

What counts as 1 drink?

• 12 oz. beer (at 5% alcohol by volume)

• or  4-5 oz. wine (12-15% alcohol by volume)

• or  1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits

• or  1 oz. of 100-proof spirits

Remember, the limits stated above are for each day, not a weekly average. So you cannot abstain for six days, then drink an entire bottle of wine (which is more than 5 servings) on the seventh day, and say that you have only had 1 drink per day this week.

In theory, the benefits from alcohol could come from its ability to (slightly) raise HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and reduce the likelihood of clot formation. Wine and beer contain polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant, and antioxidants help protect the human body from cardiovascular and other diseases. Of course it is possible that the healthy attributes seen in people who drink alcohol may come from other lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, diet, stress management, social connectivity or something else for which the study did not account.

Consuming alcohol is known to have risks. Alcohol raises triglycerides, a type of “bad” fat in the blood. It can increase your risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, several types of cancer and alcohol dependence. It can also lead to accidents, injuries and mental problems.

So you might ask yourself, “Are the possible benefits of drinking alcohol worth the risks?” You can get your antioxidants from other foods, like fruits and vegetables. You can do other things to protect your heart and your overall health: be physically active, eat healthy foods, control your response to stress and build a good social network. If you don’t already drink, please do not take up drinking for its alleged health benefits. If you do drink, please remember to do so in moderation.

any

younger than age 21,

pregnant or trying to become pregnant,

taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol,

recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink,

have a medical condition that may be made worse by alcohol,

driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.