The holiday season will soon be upon us. Many people will drink more than usual at holiday gatherings, football games, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. This is a good time to discuss alcohol use and some lesser known risks.
What Is Considered Moderate Drinking?
There is no amount that is right for everyone. Some people should not drink at all, including during pregnancy, with certain medications or medical conditions, or while recovering from alcohol use disorder.
Current United States guidance gives no specific daily limit and advises drinking less for better overall health. Earlier guidance defined moderation as no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. These remain useful reference points, but are not guarantees of safety.
One standard drink is about 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Generous pours and mixed drinks may contain more than one standard drink.
What Are the Health Risks?
Most people know that excessive alcohol use can damage the liver and increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. However, its effects extend well beyond these concerns.
Alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the breast, liver, colon, esophagus, mouth, throat, and voice box. About 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths in the United States are attributed to alcohol each year. The risk can increase even with relatively low consumption.
Alcohol can also raise blood pressure and trigger an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. Although it may help you fall asleep, it decreases sleep quality, worsens snoring and sleep apnea, and may leave you more tired the next day.
Other complications include acid reflux, stomach inflammation, pancreatitis, nerve damage, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, depression, weakened immunity, and medication interactions. Liver disease can develop without obvious early symptoms.
Is Red Wine Good for the Heart?
Earlier studies suggested that moderate alcohol use, particularly red wine, might protect the heart. However, they could not fully separate alcohol from factors such as diet, exercise, income, and access to healthcare.
More recent studies have questioned whether alcohol itself provides a meaningful benefit. No one should start drinking for heart health. The potentially beneficial compounds in red wine are also found in grapes, berries, and other foods.
When Should You Be Concerned?
Warning signs include drinking more than intended, needing more alcohol to feel the same effect, having blackouts, drinking to sleep or manage stress, being unable to cut back, or continuing despite health, work, or relationship problems.
At the risk of taking some of the “fun” out of the holidays, I have given you a long list of reasons to limit or avoid alcohol. I will repeat what I often say in these articles: everything in moderation, and when in doubt, talk to your primary care physician.
