A drink before a meal may improve digestion, and occasional drinks can be a social tonic that contributes to overall well-being. The opposite of moderate drinking is either heavy drinking or binge drinking. 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.
Heart Health
In 2018, when Hartz and her colleagues compared thousands of moderate and very light drinkers (one or two drinks per week), the advantages of moderate consumption basically disappeared. By 2022 the World Heart Federation stated that alcohol did not protect people. There is also some evidence that genes influence how alcohol affects the cardiovascular system. An enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase helps metabolize alcohol.
- The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for these health effects, including several types of cancer.
- “Non‐drinkers, both ex‐drinkers and lifelong teetotalers, consistently show an increased prevalence of conditions likely to increase morbidity and mortality compared with occasional or light drinkers.
- To assess the prevalence of high-risk drinking globally, the World Health Organization uses a measure called heavy episodic drinking, defined as consuming 60 grams of alcohol or more on at least one occasion in the past 30 days.
- However, it’s important to keep in mind that naltrexone will not prevent you from becoming inebriated or drunk from alcohol.
The Bottom Line: Balancing Risks and Benefits
- By the end of the 12-month study period, participants could earn up to US $250 in digital gift codes for data submission.
- However, it is important to note that many studies making these claims are inconclusive.
- Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking.
- You’ll also learn the possible health benefits and risks of drinking alcohol.
Study incentives were built into the first 12 weekly check-in surveys (as part of the self-monitoring feature of Tula) and four quarterly follow-up surveys at months 3, 6, 9, and 12. The incentives were distributed monthly in the form of digital gift codes sent via the message feature in Tula. By the end of the 12-month study period, participants could earn up to US $250 in digital gift codes for data submission. Participants in this group used the app on their own, like most commercially available health apps.
Low-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Folate, the B vitamin that helps guide the development of an embryo’s spinal cord, has equally important jobs later in life. One of the biggest is helping to build DNA, the molecule that carries the code of life. In this way, folate is essential for accurate cell division. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.
Issues with past studies on moderate alcohol use and health
While moderate drinking is undoubtedly a better idea than binge drinking, no amount of alcohol is completely risk-free when it comes to your health. The CDC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines all agree that minimal drinking is better than even a moderate alcohol intake. In fact, none of these government agencies advise you to drink at all. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of health problems, and the risks to your health and safety increase along with the amount you drink. We constructed a longitudinal model of the outcome measures at months 3, 6, 9, and 12 after randomization using the GLMM with a random intercept and an auto-regression covariance structure for repeated measures.
- Performed analysis and interpreted results with input from B.B., L.P., and K.E.
- The debate still simmers today, with a lively back-and-forth over whether alcohol is good for you or bad for you.
- Brierley previously served as Food & Nutrition Director for Cooking Light magazine and the Nutrition Editor at EatingWell magazine.
- 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.
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How many drinks you’ve had, certain medical conditions, even what you had to eat before you started drinking can all affect your BAC. He also explains that the potential benefits are poorly studied and that the possible long-term benefits are outweighed https://ecosoberhouse.com/ by the more immediate health problems caused by binge drinking. Consuming moderate amounts of certain types of alcohol, such as wine, has shown some benefits. However, it is important to note that many studies making these claims are inconclusive.
Alcohol and Public Health
These physical and social effects may also contribute to health and well-being. Alcohol’s two-faced nature shouldn’t come as a surprise. The active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, a simple molecule called ethanol, affects the body moderate drinking in many different ways. It directly influences the stomach, brain, heart, gallbladder, and liver. It affects levels of lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and insulin in the blood, as well as inflammation and coagulation.
Depression, anxiety, and mental health
Knowing your personal risk based on your habits can help you make the best decision for you. It can be difficult adopting habits to moderate your drinking. No matter your reason for looking at your drinking habits, you may find that in the end, you don’t need alcohol at all. If you’re looking for an alcohol-free wine alternative, Surely has got you covered. Blood alcohol content (BAC) is a measurement of how much alcohol is in a person’s blood.
- Some people shouldn’t drink at all, like people younger than 21 years, people who are pregnant or might be pregnant, and people with certain health conditions.
- As noted above, these distinctions are absent from the UK guidelines.
- Secondly, despite the ongoing message to drink in moderation (and again, that’s up to one drink a day for women and up to two for men), binge drinking the U.S. is fairly prevalent.
- If you choose to drink, don’t drink more than a couple of alcoholic drinks a night.