Alcohol: does it really offer health benefits?
Cording points out that the benefits of alcohol—its use as a social connector, polyphenol content, and its blood-thinning properties—need to be weighed against the very real risks of consuming it. Let’s just put it out there—calling any alcohol “healthy” is a stretch. But that doesn’t mean there’s absolutely no place for the occasional drink in a healthy lifestyle. The key is understanding that while alcohol itself isn’t technically healthy, there are healthier choices to be made when you’re indulging.
Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
Many people drink alcohol as a personal preference, during social activities, or as a part of cultural and religious practices. People who choose not to drink make that choice for the same reasons. Knowing your personal risk based on your habits can help you make the best decision for you. Type 2 diabetes causes the body’s cells to take https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in less glucose, or sugar, from the blood as a result of insulin resistance. When the body’s cells do not respond to insulin and take up glucose, a person will have high blood sugar levels. Alcohol may offer protective effects for certain body systems and may reduce the risk of developing some health conditions, including the following.
What Alcohol Does to Your Body
“If there are actual lab abnormalities, it’s a sign that you need to take a break,” Bonthala says. It’s always best to connect with your doctor before quitting alcohol. A weakened immune system has a harder time protecting you from germs and viruses. Over time, alcohol can cause damage to your central nervous system.
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Tips & advice for alcohol abuse & dealing with drinking coping mechanisms.
There are effective medications that treat opioid , alcohol , and nicotine addiction and lessen the symptoms of many other mental disorders. For more information on behavioral treatments and medications for SUDs, visit NIDA’s Drug Facts and Treatment webpages. For more information about treatment for mental disorders, visit NIMH’s Health Topics webpages. Updates about mental health topics, including NIMH news, upcoming events, mental disorders, funding opportunities, and research.
If a person still chooses to drink alcohol, they may consider that certain types of alcohol may be healthier options than others. These can include lower-calorie and high antioxidant options, such as red, white, and sparkling wine, low sugar cocktails, light beer, and cider. Made from apples, cider contains less alcohol content than wine but is also rich in antioxidant plant compounds. These antioxidants may help protect cells from damage that occurs due to free radicals.
- People can reduce their risk of certain conditions by modifying their diet and changing their drinking habits.
- So within the limits of moderation, choose the alcohol you enjoy, but keep in mind the calories in drinks, Fernstrom notes.
- But if you’re waking up in the middle of the night (or waking up every hour and staying awake) it’s absolutely frustrating, and you probably want to figure out how to stay asleep all night.
- People who choose not to drink make that choice for the same reasons.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
- Pancreatitis can activate the release of pancreatic digestive enzymes and cause abdominal pain.
Alcohol does more harm for heart health than good
If you are a heavy drinker, following a healthy diet and exercise routine will still be beneficial for your health, but not as much as getting your alcohol consumption under control, or abstaining completely. Moderate alcohol consumption may increase life expectancy, while alcohol abuse is a strong risk factor for premature death. As a result, drinking alcohol with meals may cut the rise in blood sugar by 16–37% more than water. Blood sugar between meals — known as fasting blood glucose — may also decline (51, 52). Many people facing anxiety and depression drink intentionally to reduce stress and improve mood. While drinking may provide a few hours of relief, it may worsen your overall mental health and spark a vicious cycle (23, 24).
Heart Failure: Understanding the condition and optimizing treatment
Alcohol can also trigger the release of chemicals called endorphins and raise levels of the “feel good” hormone dopamine. This can make you feel energetic and even extremely happy (euphoric) shortly after you drink alcohol, but the effects don’t last. In this article, we’ll talk about the health risks that come with drinking and the benefits of quitting alcohol.
- People who drink heavily are about twice as likely to have a cardiovascular event within 24 hours than people who do not drink at all.
- He prides himself on making such content easy to read, understand, and apply to one’s everyday life.
- It’s possible that the fast-acting enzyme breaks down alcohol before it can have a beneficial effect on HDL and clotting factors.
- You might have heard that drinking some alcohol can be beneficial to your health.
- The side effects of alcohol include dependence and addiction, especially in people who have depression or anxiety.
- Dr. Kane cautioned that individuals with alcohol addiction or a less severe alcohol use disorder should not be swayed to engage in alcohol use based on studies documenting its health benefits.
- This is what’s considered “healthy.” But “we do know from research that much smaller amounts of alcohol can contribute to disease risk,” says Cording.
Which type of alcoholic beverage is best?
A white wine spritzer is a mix of white wine with club soda or sparkling water. With a 5-oz serving of white wine containing 121 calories, people can reduce their calorie and sugar intake while is alcohol good for you still enjoying a drink by diluting or mixing it with a calorie-free carbonated beverage. Choosing drier wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, further reduces the sugar content.
