According to a 2002 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 55 percent of U.S. adults drink actively at least once each month. Alcohol has both its benefits and its downfalls, where excessive drinking can lead to elevated risks of cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, stomach cancers, violence, injury and death. It is important to know how alcohol consumption affects your health before you engage in any heavy drinking.
In spite of its bad reputation, alcohol is actually beneficial in moderation – one to two small servings a day. Whereas general death rates are higher for those who over-consume alcohol, death rates related to heart disease are lowest for moderate drinkers, which is defined as anyone who consumes no more than 12 fl oz of beer, 3 fl oz of 40 proof liquor, or 5 fl oz of wine twice a day, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Of course, alcohol does not affect everyone equally. The more body mass an individual has, the more alcohol it will take to affect the blood stream and the brain. For similar reasons, men are less affected by alcohol than women. Also, pregnant women and lactating mothers should avoid alcoholic drinks to prevent damaging the fetus. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition where a neurological disorder stunts or deters infant development as a result of heavy drinking while pregnant. Moreover, adolescents and children may become easily over-intoxicated and possibly die from alcohol poisoning if they engage in binge (extreme, continuous) drinking.
Other than bodily harm, alcohol can have serious impacts on judgment, coordination and motor-skill ability. The best example of this is the rate of fatalities due to drunk driving – 37 percent of all fatalities, or 15,387 deaths, in 2007 alone, according to the website, Alcohol Alert. Although the rates have steadily decreased from 60 percent back in 1982 to what they are now, many partiers still take risks with combining the heavy consumption of alcohol and driving. Therefore, avoid activities that involve judgment calls and quick reflexes when inebriated.
In terms of nutrition, alcohol contains 7 calories per gram compared to 4 calories in one gram of carbohydrates, 4 calories in one gram of protein and 9 calories in one gram of fat. Furthermore, every fl oz of alcohol contains about 12 calories or more, depending on the concentration and form. For example, regular beer has 12 calories per fl oz, white wine has 20 calories, red wine has 21 calories, and 80 proof drinks (like vodka, gin, rum, etc) have 64 calories. When mixed with sweetened mixers, drinks can easily run over 250 calories per cup without any real nutrient benefit. In fact, overdrinking alcohol will only hurt your organs. (All nutrition information referenced from the USDA database).
Alcohol can reduce your risk of death due to heart disease, but it is more beneficial for older adults than younger ones. Although the effects on your judgment and motor-control can be fun, they can also be dangerous. Therefore, have the occasional party drink, perhaps twice a month or less, and save the rest of your drinking for old age. Wine may be fine for dinner, but do not overdo your alcohol consumption.
