It’s been well-established that drinking too much, even every once in a while, is bad for you, but there’s often uncertainty regarding how moderate drinking affects health. Experts agree that for men, moderation means no more than two drinks a day, while for women, moderation means no more than one drink a day.
Even though drinking at moderate levels has some benefits, as soon as people start drinking more than the recommended amounts, benefits diminish quickly, as problems are sure to arise. Even so, the evidence about the possible health benefits of alcohol isn’t certain, and alcohol may not benefit everyone who drinks. So the decision about whether to drink really depends on you, say experts.
Moderate amounts of alcohol raises levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL, which is associated with greater protection against heart disease. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked with beneficial changes ranging from better sensitivity to insulin to improvements in factors that influence blood clotting. Such changes would tend to prevent the formation of small blood clots that can block arteries in the heart, neck, and brain, the ultimate cause of many heart attacks and the most common kind of stroke, based on the findings by The School of Public Health at Harvard University.
Who knew that drinking occasionally could add a few years to your life? A study by the Catholic University of Campobasso reported that drinking less than four or two drinks per day for men and women respectively could reduce the risk of death by 18 percent, say experts.
Alcohol loosens up your inhibitions especially at the level of about one to two drinks, and it’s also when most people report feeling the most pleasure. Alcohol stimulates the receptors in our brain, and that slight buzz and warm feeling aren’t being overwhelmed by the feelings of dizziness, nausea and even depression, which can set in after consuming a good bit. In a 2009 study published in the, Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers found that the chances of erectile dysfunction were reduced by 25 to 30 percent among moderate alcohol drinkers.
According to the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, moderate alcohol consumption led to a decrease in common cold cases for non-smokers. The scientists suspected that this had something to do with the antioxidant properties of wine.
Based on a study, as reported in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, moderate drinkers were 23 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Experts suggest that small amounts of alcohol might, in effect, make brain cells more fit.
Red wine also has the added effect of lowering cholesterol levels, although that benefit is specific to that beverage only, say experts.
Alcohol is processed by the liver, and when alcohol and other compounds are present in the body, alcohol takes precedence. This means that other medications which are also processed in the liver, will not be broken down as quickly, and if someone stops drinking for a few days, the liver will process medications too quickly, which can have dangerous effects, for example, for people who take medication to prevent seizures, warn experts.
In modest amounts, this slight diuretic effect is not harmful, but if the person is already slightly dehydrated before having a drink, the effect will be more apparent.
Alcohol helps people fall asleep, but makes it more likely they’ll wake up during the night. “You will sleep faster, but not better,” because alcohol interferes with REM sleep, say experts.
Moderate drinking may encourage you to become addicted to alcohol, especially if there is a family history of alcoholism.
Text: Bauer/ Good Health/ Additional Reporting: Shenielle Aloysis