Alcoholic beverages, and wine especially, are credited with increasing “good,” HDL cholesterol levels. Drinking is not known for helping people look their best, but the special antioxidants in wine (such as phytochemicals and resveratol) can increase energy levels and combat signs of aging. It’s hard to escape the message these days that every sip of wine, every swig of beer is bad for your health. If you tend to drink excessively or notice that alcohol causes problems in your life, you should avoid it as much as possible. The problem is, most people have no idea what qualifies as a “standard drink.” To worsen matters, the official definition of a standard drink differs between countries. As a rule of thumb, if alcohol is adversely affecting your quality of life, you may have a problem with alcohol dependence or alcoholism.

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People should consult a doctor to discuss ways to reduce the risk and treat the effects of certain health conditions. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as of 2019, 85.6% of people over age 18 in the United States reported that they had drunk alcohol at some point in life. Despite this, the question of beneficial effects of alcohol has been a contentious issue in research for years. When it comes to alcohol, if you don’t drink, don’t start for health reasons. In fact, research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2022 found that men who drank half a pint of beer per day had improved gut microbiomes as a result. However, whether alcohol can really be heart-healthy is still debated, and it’s likely better to indulge in other antioxidant-rich treats like dark chocolate.

• While the 2020 review suggests that consuming small amounts of alcohol may carry some benefit, consuming large amounts, even occasionally, remains detrimental.
• Ethanol reduces communication between brain cells — a short-term effect responsible for many of the symptoms of being drunk.
• Drink too much, though, and you can get dehydrated, and that increases your risk of kidney stones along with other health problems.
• We’ve all heard about the antioxidant benefits of red wine — and research has found that whiskey can have a similar effect.

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This is a recipe for falls, which are typically much more traumatic in older adults and can even be deadly. Alcohol can be especially problematic in older adults because it can conflict with medications and worsen the symptoms of other health problems that are common among older people. Receive free access to exclusive content, a personalized homepage based on your interests, and a weekly newsletter with topics of your choice.

Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

That usually means four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men. For example, it may be used to define the risk of illness or injury based on the number of drinks a person has in a week. “In general, I don’t recommend the consumption of alcohol for health benefits,” she said. “A daily drink may calm your anxiety, but it also suppresses your metabolism,” Kober says. “I would recommend sticking to 1-2 nights a week with your alcohol consumption.” Research on mice shows that consuming the agave tequila plant can increase calcium absorption and improve bone health.

Public Health

This artisanal twist on mass-produced beer emphasizes quality and flavor, which means greater botanical diversity and a potential for more antioxidants11, vitamins, and minerals. Some evidence4 also finds that tequila may not be as severe a depressant as other types of alcohol. Mixers, syrups, sodas, and other additions, however, quickly pile on the sugar and calories, so be mindful of what’s in that cocktail. So, if you’re going to drink, let’s explore options that may be a little less bad for you. It’s estimated that more than 2 billion people around the world tip back an adult beverage from time to time.

Science around moderate alcohol use

However, some kombucha makers are now producing hard kombucha, which has an alcohol content similar to beer or hard seltzer. Regular kombucha has some health benefits, including reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and aiding in digestion. “We have to clarify that alcohol is, indeed, a poison. So we’re not trying to say alcohol itself is healthy,” says Megan Kober, a registered dietitian with Metabolism Makeovers. “But research has shown that having a drink or two a day can actually have some protective heart health benefits and in my opinion, it’s because it helps us relax.” Luckily, we’re starting to learn more about how moderate drinking habits actually affect the brain. On an episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, neurophysiologist Louisa Nicola, founder of Neuro Athletics, shares some compelling findings when it comes to alcohol and brain health.

Terms of Use

But after countless studies, the data do not justify sweeping statements about the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on human health. Compared with non-drinkers, people who had one drink per day had a 0.5% increased risk of developing one is alcohol good for you of 23 alcohol-related health problems ranging from road injuries to breast cancer to tuberculosis, according to the study. This amounts to only about four additional deaths per 100,000 people per year worldwide, but the risks increase with every daily drink consumed. Those who drank five drinks per day increased their risk of health problems by 37% compared with non-drinkers. The risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed.

Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH.

Excessive alcohol use is a term used to describe four ways that people drink alcohol that can negatively impact health. Long-term alcohol drinking may also lead to alcohol use disorder, which involves difficulty stopping or regulating alcohol consumption despite negative social and health consequences. Drinking alcohol can also reduce the body’s ability to recover when blood sugar levels drop.

A new analysis of the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ global impact of alcohol on injury and disease concluded that even moderate drinking is unsafe for health. A 2017 meta-analysis found an association between moderate alcohol consumption — 12.5 grams or less per day — and a reduced risk of dementia. A drink or two a few times a week may make you less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. Moderate drinking may also reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease — both of which can speed up the effects of Alzheimer’s.