Can Alcohol Be Good For Your Health?

​Studies have shown that drinking alcohol moderately can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. But how do you measure “moderate drinking”? Moderate drinking varies by gender. Women should only sip one drink per day, while men should sip one to two drinks a day. Note, however, that the size of your drink matters.

​The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that one drink is equal to:

    1 ½ ounces of hard liquor or
    12 ounces of beer or
    5 ounces of wine

The Dangers of Going Overboard

While alcohol may be healthy, other people can’t seem to stop at just one or two drinks. That’s where the problem lies. Intake of too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, such as liver damage. It can also increase blood pressure and cause heart damage. It’s linked to different types of cancers as well, including breast, prostate, mouth, esophagus, etc. For people who drink and smoke, their risks to fatal diseases are even greater.

The dangers of excessive alcohol drinking also extend to family, friends, and even bystanders. Studies show that over 16,000 people die every year due to drunken driving. Meanwhile, other studies suggest that about 1/3 of violent crimes and 70% of domestic violence involve alcohol use.

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol is a depressant. Therefore, it doesn’t make people happy over time; it makes them sad. And when depressed, people tend to do harmful things to themselves and others.

Signs of Alcohol Misuse

Is there a way of knowing when your loved one is abusing alcohol? Yes! And that’s through the CAGE test, which involves four questions:

    Cutting down: Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
    Annoyance by criticism: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
    Guilt: Have you ever felt guilty about alcohol drinking?
    Eye-opener: Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If they answer at least one “yes” to these questions, they may need professional help as they likely have a drinking problem.

The thing is cardiovascular diseases and liver damage can be prevented. And that is, to drink moderately, if not stop alcohol drinking at all. You don’t want to regret your lifestyle and behavior when the time comes, right?

While lifestyle diseases are preventable, there are others that come with age and our genes. Whatever the cause of your health issues, it is vital to be protected from the expenses of medical treatments.

Sungate Insurance is an independent agency that represents reputable companies offering health insurance products that suit your needs. We can run comparison quotes for you so you can find the one that fits your budget. Get a free health insurance quote from us! Call us at (407) 878-7979 or visit us now!​