Everyone knows that alcohol is bad for your health. However, researchers are still debating exactly how much alcohol it takes to cross the line. Some claim that drinking up to two glasses of wine daily promotes cardiovascular health and helps in weight loss. Others say that alcohol should be avoided altogether. With so much conflicting information available, it’s hard to tell whether or not alcohol in moderation has health benefits.
The Truth about Alcohol
Statistics show that over 24.9 percent of adults over 18 years old had at least one heavy drinking day last year. Annually, there are more than one and a half million drunk driving arrests in the U.S. only. Studies also indicate that alcohol kills more teens than all drugs combined. About 40 percent of crimes occur under the influence of alcohol.
The problems caused by alcohol consumption don’t stop here. Alcoholic beverages are the main culprit behind 18,146 liver disease deaths. Binge drinking may also lead to depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, cancer, heart disease, liver failure, and high blood pressure. People who consume alcohol regularly have problems at home, at work, and in social groups.
Are There Any Benefits
Several studies have been done on alcohol, but most data is conflicting. For example, a number of studies have shown that wine consumption may lower the risk of ischemic heart disease and heart attack. Researchers believe that the polyphenols in wine support cardiovascular health. However, other studies indicate the opposite: people who don’t drink alcohol at all enjoy better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of heart disease compared to alcohol drinkers.
According to the World Health Organization, alcohol puts you at risk for over 200 diseases and injuries, such as liver cirrhosis, risky sexual behavior, suicide, and miscarriage. Some experts claim that even one episode of binge drinking can affect your health. Since there is no way to tell how much alcohol is too much, the best thing you can do is to avoid alcoholic beverages or at least keep them to a minimum.
