Just how these balance out remains a matter of some debate and controversy. These are more than just interesting questions for researchers to study.
The answers could guide recommendations of doctors, public health officials, and policy makers throughout the world — and they could save millions of lives. But so far, the answers vary depending on the study. And perhaps that should not be too surprising since study methods differ widely. For example, the definition of "one drink" in the US is 14 grams of alcohol, as found in a ounce bottle of beer, 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.
In other countries, and in many research studies, a different definition is used. In June of , a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine found that among older adults, light drinking in the range of one to four drinks per week was associated with a slightly lower risk of death compared with zero consumption. In August of , two larger studies examined the impact of alcohol.
The first one, published in The Lancet , included only people who drank at least some alcohol. It concluded that common recommendations regarding "moderate" drinking one drink a day or less for women, and two drinks per day or less for men might be too much. The second study, also published in The Lancet , was even bigger. It examined data from hundreds of studies and other sources including sales of alcohol, home-brewed alcoholic beverage consumption, and even estimates of tourist consumption in locations.
And it analyzed the overall health impact related to alcohol consumption, including death and disability due to automobile accidents, infectious diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. It concluded that the best option for overall health was no drinking at all. As I look at the study data, I interpret it differently. True, the data does not confirm a protective effect of light drinking. But the health risks were low, and quite similar at levels between zero to one drink per day.
That suggests that zero consumption may not necessarily be best, or any better than several drinks per week. In addition, this study and others like it is based on a large number of people, which is helpful to detect trends but can overlook important individual factors.
In other words, some people may be harmed or helped more by alcohol consumption than others. To get the best out of mixing food and alcohol:. It's easy to drink more than you realise. A standard drink is a can or bottle of mid-strength beer, ml of wine or a 30ml shot of spirits.
Drinks served in bars or restaurants often contain more than 1 standard drink. Set yourself a drinks limit and stick to it. Avoid drinking in rounds especially with friends who drink too much.
Try to finish your drink before you start another, rather than topping up your glass. Use this Standard drink calculator from Drinkwise to work out how much you are drinking. The amount of alcohol in your blood blood alcohol concentration, or BAC influences how alcohol affects you.
The higher your BAC, the more at risk you are of injury or overdose. When you binge drink drink more than 4 drinks in 1 session and get drunk, you're more likely to get hurt, put yourself in a dangerous situation, embarrass yourself, or even suffer alcohol poisoning. Try to avoid drinking games, shots, skolling races or anything that aims to get you intoxicated fast. Play pool, dance or debate about reality TV instead. Do anything but try to keep up with your friends.
Don't mix alcohol with energy drinks, as this can make you drink more. Be careful about how much you drink if you've taken any other drugs or medicines. Don't be an amateur — watch this video from DrinkWise on how to drink properly. It's against the law in Australia to drive with a blood alcohol concentration BAC above 0. However, there is no safe level of alcohol if you are driving. The more drinks you put away, the more likely you are to have a road accident - and that accident could involve another person, not just you.
Drinking alcohol can be more harmful for some people. The safest option for children and young people under 18 is not to drink any alcohol at all. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding , it's safest for your baby if you don't drink. It's also best to avoid alcohol if you're taking any medicines or recreational drugs since when mixed with alcohol, they can have an unpleasant effect. Likewise, it's not a good idea to drink when you're feeling depressed because alcohol can make you feel worse.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Should I drink alcohol? For first timers, shots can be quite a bit to take in. They are much stronger than a glass of wine or beer. Avoid them completely. Heavy, fatty foods can slow down the absorption of alcohol. Sit and relax for sometime, keep drinking water and most importantly go for a chilled glass of milk with a small piece of jaggery.
Don't Drink too Fast Spacing out your drinks can stop you from getting drunk. Learn to say No Peer pressure can be hard to resist and before you know it, a few drinks could turn into one too many. Stay Hydrated No matter what you are drinking make sure to have a glass of water between every few drinks.
Avoid Shots Completely For first timers, shots can be quite a bit to take in. DrinkWise provides financial and in-kind support for a number of different programs and initiatives, utilising a tailored broadcast and targeted approach. DrinkWise has created a series of videos for school and community programs, to educate and build individual capacity to make informed decisions about alcohol. The second phase of You Got This features a series of six video interviews offering practical tips and experiences that can help school-leavers remain confident and resilient as they embark on life after school.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should not drink alcohol. If you are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for your baby.
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