Author: Gary Jackson

Facts about moderate drinking

There are also programs like Ria Health which can provide direct support when you’re ready for it. Ria uses medication, coaching, and digital tools to customize treatment, and delivers it all through a smartphone app. To understand how much alcohol is too much, it may be helpful to know the definitions of excessive drinking. Older adults may also be affected by alcohol differently than younger to middle-aged adults. BAC is important in identifying impairment when driving.

• The opposite of moderate drinking is either heavy drinking or binge drinking.
• When it comes to drinking alcohol and expecting a health benefit, moderation is the key.
• One standard drink in the U.S. contains around 14 grams of pure alcohol.
• NIAAA research indicates that only about 2 percent of people who drink within these limits have alcohol use disorder.
• An alarming one in three American adults has high blood pressure.
• There are plenty of alcohol alternatives out there for you to explore, even in the crisp white wine category.

Certain health problems — like depression or anxiety, sleep problems, and chronic pain — can put you at a higher risk for alcohol use disorder. If drinking causes problems in your life, you may have alcohol use disorder (also called alcoholism). Keep in mind that the size of the drink and the percent of alcohol makes a difference. For example, many beers are about 5% alcohol, but some have higher percentages of alcohol. And some beers are sold in bigger sizes than the standard 12 ounces. NIAAA research indicates that only about 2 percent of people who drink within these limits have alcohol use disorder.

What can I do if I or someone I know has a drinking problem?

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. Planning ahead can help you manage situations when you might be tempted to drink too much. Think ahead about how to say “no” if someone offers you a drink.

However, for many people this is not realistic, nor is this what most people want. Try our alcohol-removed sparkling white wine if you’re looking to celebrate without the hangover, or our non-alcoholic rosé if the occasion calls for something pink. If you look at the science behind how BAC is measured, a BAC of 0.10% would mean 0.10g of ethanol for every 100 milliliters (ml) of blood.

What Is “Low-Risk Drinking”?

Drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages damages many organs, particularly the liver, brain, and heart. Paradoxically, however, beginning about 50 years ago, studies began to suggest that moderate drinking might actually be good for the heart. Moderate drinking is defined as one to two drinks per day for a man, and one drink per day for a woman. A “drink” is defined as a shot (1.5 ounces) of spirits, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 12-ounce bottle of beer. The Guidelines also note that not drinking alcohol also is the safest option for women who are lactating. Women considering consuming alcohol during lactation should talk to their healthcare provider.4 Learn more about breastfeeding and alcohol use.

• In 2012, results of a study of swine with high cholesterol levels suggested that moderate consumption of both vodka and wine may reduce cardiovascular risk, with wine offering greater protection.
• While consuming alcohol in moderation appears to have some benefits, it is important to remember that too much can be devastating for overall health and even life-threatening in the long run.
• The effects of alcohol can also vary from person to person.

For women, the threshold is 4 or more drinks in that same period. The legal limit for drinking is the alcohol level above which a person is subject to legal penalties (e.g., arrest or loss of a driver’s license). It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream. However, the liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the body. The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed. While consuming alcohol in moderation appears to have some benefits, it is important to remember that too much can be devastating for overall health and even life-threatening in the long run.

Is it safe to drink alcohol and drive?

AHD is a chemical that breaks down alcohol in the liver. Consequently, alcohol remains in a woman’s system longer and builds up faster. In 2015, 26.9 percent of people in the United States reported binge drinking in the past month.

There are many studies that discuss the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between moderate drinking and binge drinking, the potential benefits of moderate drinking, and how you can achieve moderation. This is all keeping in mind that moderate alcohol consumption and moderation management programs aren’t appropriate for those groups we already listed above. If you’re unsure whether you should be drinking alcohol, follow up with your doctor or healthcare provider.