Drinking and Your Health

Besides smoking, drinking is the only legal drug. It isn't uncommon for friends and family to drink and dine together on a regular basis. Consuming too much alcohol however, can be seriously dangerous to your health.

Different amount of alcohol effect people differently depending on a number of things, including how much you normally drink, your sex, your size, how much you have eaten, how quickly you drink and your history with alcohol. Studies have shown that a healthy amount of alcohol would be no more than 2 drink per day for men and 1 for women.

The short term effects of drinking too much would include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, inability to think clearly, and altered depth sense. The long term, effects of alcohol include the need to drink more in order to get the same effect as you used to, poor appetite, jumpiness, insomnia, sweating when not drinking, black outs, not remembering drinking at all and confusion or memory loss.

When you consume too much alcohol, you run the risk of developing several serious diseases which include liver disease, heart disease, stomach ulcers, blood vessel disorders, impotence (in men), menstrual irregularities (in women), and several types of cancer. A woman who is pregnant should never drink because even in small amounts, it can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome in the baby. Too much alcohol consumption is also linked to hundreds of car crashes each year as well as professional, family, financial and legal problems.

Cut down on alcohol related diseases and risks by spacing your drinks out and drinking water in between alcoholic beverages. Always eat before you have something to drink because it won't enter the blood stream as fast. Eating after drinking does not have this same benefit. Also, don't feel pressured by others who want you to drink, and only drink if you feel like it at the time. You should never attempt to drive after drinking, so always make sure that you are prepared to take a taxi, bus or other form of transportation home.

Alcohol has been shown to be beneficial to your health when consumed in small amounts. The French for example drink small amounts almost everyday and enjoy long, healthy lives. You don't have to avoid alcohol like the plague but try to be responsible about it so you don't find yourself with a horrible disease that could have easily been avoided.