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Alcohol: Is it Healthy?
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Moderate alcohol ingestion is usually not a risk to health in normal individuals, but even moderate drinking is not risk-free. And if you drink at more than moderate levels, you could be risking serious problems. So what is reasonable? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides the following guideline:
Moderate alcohol intake can be relaxing. It can stimulate appetite and bowel function in the elderly and improve mood, and it can benefit those at high risk for heart disease. However, there are risks to moderate drinking. There is a relationship between moderate drinking and breast cancer. Heavy drinking increases the risk of esophageal, stomach, liver and pancreatic disorders. Alcohol affects every system in the body. Alcohol-induced liver disease is a major cause of illness and death. While it is often fatal, with abstinence, it may be reversed. Brain abnormalities, such as memory loss, disturbed sleeping patterns, and impaired judgement and perception, can be the result of long-term drinking. If you or someone you know has been drinking heavily, get help from your doctor. Serious health problems can be avoided, and established problems may be reversed.
For a complete report, see "Alcohol: What You Don't Know Can Harm You" at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/harm-al.htm If you or someone you know needs help or more information, contact:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | |||||||||||||||||||||
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