Alcohol Use & Your Health: Pros & Cons

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” But what about a glass of wine a day? Some reports suggest that moderate alcohol consumption – specifically of red wine – may have certain health benefits. But because there is a fine line between healthy, moderate use and dangerous, abusive behaviors, it is important to fully understand the amount, type of alcohol, and frequency of consumption that result in these benefits.

What health benefits are associated with drinking alcohol in moderation?

First, it is important to clarify what “moderation” means. For men, two drinks a day is considered moderate consumption. For women, one drink a day is considered moderate. Regular consumption above this amount runs the risk of doing serious damage to the liver over time, which will likely outweigh any potential benefits of moderate use in the long-run. Also, the reported benefits are specifically associated with dry red wines like Pinot Noir, Petit Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Studies suggest that moderate consumption of red wine may have the following benefits:

• Increased HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol)
• Decreased LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol)
• Decreased risk for diabetes
• Growth of nerve cells, reducing the severity of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases
• Reduced chance of gallstones
• Lower likelihood of blood clotting leading to strokes

What are the risks of drinking alcohol?

As mentioned above, there is a fine line between moderate drinking and heavy drinking. Above an average of one glass a day for women and two glasses a day for men is considered heavy drinking. Over the long-term, heavy drinking puts you at an increased risk for the following medical problems and other complications:

• High blood pressure
• Miscarriage, if pregnant
• Birth defects, or fetal alcohol syndrome (for the fetus/child), if pregnant
• Damage to nerve cells, the heart, the liver, and the pancreas
• Suicide
• Stroke
• Certain cancers
• Increased triglycerides (fat) in the blood
• Injury (as a result of alcohol-induced impairments)

Who should avoid alcohol consumption?

If you or someone in your family has a history of alcoholism or problems with other substances, you may have a genetic predisposition to addiction and should weigh the risks of consuming any amount or type of alcohol carefully. Also, alcohol use can cause birth defects, so pregnant women should avoid it (Read our article on Alcohol and Pregnancy). Others who should not consume alcohol include those taking medications (consult your doctor) and those with medical conditions such as pancreatic or liver disease. If you do not currently drink alcohol, you should ask your doctor if he or she thinks it is worthwhile for you to start. You may be able to derive similar health benefits through other means like exercising.