“If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start because of potential
health benefits. However, if you drink a light to moderate
amount and you’re healthy, you can probably continue…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Alcohol Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Alcohol
  • Booze
  • Drug
  • Grog
  • Liquor

Definition

What is alcohol?

DotS the definition of alcohol may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches”.2

Good or Not

Is alcohol good for you?

In Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start because of potential health benefits. However, if you drink a light to moderate amount and you’re healthy, you can probably continue as long as you drink responsibly. Be sure to check with your doctor about what’s right for your health and safety”.3

Women and Alcohol

If women choose to drink alcohol, what does moderate drinking mean?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) this may vary. For the United States in Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – Drinking Patterns: What Does Moderate Drinking Mean? the CDC explain:

“According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more”.4

For the United Kingdom (UK) in UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines Drinkaware.co.uk elaborate on:

“The Chief Medical Officers’ guideline for both men and women are:

  • To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
  • If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it’s best to spread your drinking over three or more days…
  • The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis…”.5

Standard Drink

What is a standard drink?

DotS and/or DotC the definition of a standard drink may vary. In the United States according to the (United States) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

“In the United States, one “standard” drink (or one alcoholic drink equivalent) contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in:

  • 12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol
  • 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol
  • 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol”.6

Unit of Alcohol

What is a unit of alcohol?

DotS and/or DotC this may vary. In What Is An Alcohol Unit? What Is An Alcohol Unit? the UK according to Drinkaware.co.uk:

“One unit is 10ml (millilitres) or 8g (grams) of pure alcohol. Because alcoholic drinks come in different strengths and sizes, units are a way to tell how strong your drink is, which can also help you to make comparisons”.7

High Risk Drinking

What is high risk drinking?

DotS the definition of high risk drinking may vary. In Alcohol: What Is High Risk Drinking? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s definition is:

“Any amount of alcohol can have a negative effect on your health. High-risk drinking, including binge drinking (drinking five or more standard drinks in one sitting), can put your health at serious risk – even if you only do it once or twice per week”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to drink less or stop drinking?

If you would like help to drink less or stop drinking, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The JH note:

“If you or someone you know needs alcohol support, talk to your doctor. They will give you information and may recommend counselling, treatment and support programs”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Alcohol?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Alcohol?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking. 11 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 24 December 2023
  2. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – About Alcohol: What Is Alcohol? Page Last Reviewed: 19 April 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#top Accessed: 24 December 2023
  3. Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking. 11 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 24 December 2023
  4. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – Drinking Patterns: What Does Moderate Drinking Mean? Page Last Reviewed: 19 April 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#top Accessed: 24 December 2023
  5. UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines. Last Reviewed: 30 June 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/alcoholic-drinks-and-units/low-risk-drinking-guidelines Accessed: 24 December 2023
  6. What Is A Standard Drink? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/what-standard-drink Accessed: 24 December 2023
  7. What Is An Alcohol Unit? What Is An Alcohol Unit? Last Reviewed: 08 March 2023. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcoholic-drinks-units/what-is-an-alcohol-unit/ Accessed: 24 December 2023
  8. Alcohol: What Is High Risk Drinking? Last Updated: 12 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2024. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol#what-is-high-risk-drinking Accessed: 17 March 2024
  9. Alcohol: Where To Get Help. Last Updated: 12 February 2024 | Last Reviewed: 23 January 2024. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 17 March 2024
Topic Last Updated: 17 March 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 24 December 2023

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