In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in
1.5-ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).4
What is excessive drinking?
Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.
Binge drinking, the most common form of excessive drinking, is defined as consuming
For women, 4 or more drinks during a single occasion.
For men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.
Heavy drinking is defined as consuming
For women, 8 or more drinks per week.
For men, 15 or more drinks per week.
Most people who drink excessively are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.5
What is moderate drinking?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americansrecommendsthat 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 or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.4 The Guidelinesalso do not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason and that if adults of legal drinking age choose to drink alcoholic beverages, drinking less is better for health than drinking more.4
There are some people who should not drink any alcohol, including those who are:
Younger than age 21.
Pregnant or may be pregnant.
Driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.
Taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol.
Suffering from certain medical conditions.
Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink.4
By adhering to the Dietary Guidelines, you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.
As a seasoned expert in the field of alcohol consumption and its impact on health, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the concepts outlined in the provided article. My expertise spans a wide range of topics related to alcohol, from its physiological effects to societal implications and health recommendations.
Firstly, let's delve into the concept of a standard drink, a foundational aspect in understanding alcohol consumption. In the United States, a standard drink is defined as containing 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. This standardized measure allows for consistent communication about alcohol content across various beverage types. For instance, 12 ounces of beer with a 5% alcohol content, 8 ounces of malt liquor at 7%, 5 ounces of wine with a 12% alcohol content, and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey) at 40% alcohol content all equate to one standard drink.
The article also touches upon the crucial distinction between excessive and moderate drinking. Excessive drinking encompasses binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any alcohol consumption by pregnant women or individuals under the age of 21. Binge drinking, the most prevalent form of excessive drinking, is quantified as four or more drinks during a single occasion for women and five or more drinks for men.
On the other hand, moderate drinking, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, suggests that adults of legal drinking age can choose to drink in moderation. This involves limiting intake to two drinks or fewer in a day for men and one drink or fewer in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed. It is important to note that these guidelines also emphasize that individuals who do not drink should not start for any reason.
Furthermore, the article underscores specific populations that should abstain from alcohol entirely, including those under the age of 21, pregnant individuals, individuals operating vehicles or machinery, those on certain medications, individuals with certain medical conditions, and those recovering from alcoholism.
In essence, adhering to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and understanding the concept of a standard drink are vital steps in mitigating the risks associated with alcohol consumption. Whether one chooses to abstain, drink moderately, or avoid alcohol altogether, informed decision-making contributes significantly to individual and public health.
Alcohol can cause high blood pressure, which increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Alcohol also weakens heart muscles, which can affect the lungs, liver, brain and other body systems, and also cause heart failure.
mental health – alcohol can worsen current mental health conditions (such as depression or anxiety) and increase suicide risk. gastrointestinal system – stomach inflammation (gastritis) and bleeding. liver – liver and pancreatic cancer, hepatitis (inflammation), fatty changes, cirrhosis and liver failure.
Potential short-term effects of alcohol include hangover and alcohol poisoning, as well as falls and accidents, conflict, lowered inhibitions and risky behaviours. Long-term alcohol consumption contributes to more than 200 different types of diseases and injury.
Heavy drinking, including binge drinking, is a high-risk activity. The definition of heavy drinking is based on a person's sex. For women, more than three drinks on any day or more than seven drinks a week is heavy drinking.For men, heavy drinking means more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks a week.
Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. Alcohol makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes.
Liver: Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, and can lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammations including: Steatosis, or fatty liver. Alcoholic hepatitis.
To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that 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 or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.
Binge drinking: For women, binge drinking is 4 or more drinks consumed on one occasion (one occasion = 2-3 hours).For men, binge drinking is 5 or more drinks consumed on one occasion. Underage drinking: Any alcohol use by those under age 21. Heavy drinking: For women, heavy drinking is 8 drinks or more per week.
Alcohol causes changes in the function of the kidneys and makes them less able to filter the blood. Alcohol also affects the ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body. When alcohol dehydrates (dries out) the body, the drying effect can affect the normal function of cells and organs, including the kidneys.
Long-Term Health Risks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including: High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.
Moderate alcohol consumption is normally defined as 1-14 units of alcohol per week for women and 1-21 units a week for men. If you regularly drink much more than this, you are increasing your risk of damage to your brain and other organs, and so increasing your risk of dementia.
Generally, symptoms of alcoholic liver disease include abdominal pain and tenderness, dry mouth and increased thirst, fatigue, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, and nausea. Your skin may look abnormally dark or light. Your feet or hands may look red.
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