Did you know that drinking alcohol can either make you healthier or lead to severe diseases such as diabetes, dementia, and cancer? Confused? That’s because research has shown that a glass of red wine with dinner can be beneficial. But before you raise your glass, numerous other studies have associated alcohol consumption with health problems.
The importance of vitamin C for your pancreas
The pancreas plays a vital role in digesting food and controlling blood sugar levels, requiring essential nutrients to perform its function. One of these critical nutrients is vitamin C. Chronic exposure to alcohol, however, impedes your pancreas from absorbing this nutrient, which can lead to pancreatic disease, such as pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis results from inflammation of the pancreas and getting attacked by its enzymes. This condition can be extremely painful, often requiring hospitalization, and can even lead to death. Additionally, a poorly functioning pancreas may cause chronic issues, including digestive diseases, malnutrition, and diabetes.
In essence, a malfunctioning pancreas is a significant problem that can deprive you of your health and life. That’s why it’s essential to limit your alcohol consumption.
What is moderate drinking?
Moderation is the key to ‘healthy’ alcohol consumption. But how can you ensure you’re not leaning towards the unhealthier end without clear warning signs? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a helpful breakdown of alcohol consumption:
- Women who drink four or more drinks and men who drink five or more at a social gathering are considered “binge drinking.”
- Women regularly having eight or more drinks per week and men with 15 or more are considered “heavy drinkers.”
By examining these figures, you can see how someone may accidentally cross the line from enjoying an occasional cocktail to excessive drinking, depending on the situation. However, this excess can lead to severe damage to one of your essential organs.
To experience the health benefits of drinking instead of the hazards, stick to one drink per day if you’re a woman, and two drinks per day if you’re a man.
What’s in a drink?
Now that you know the recommended limits, it’s crucial to understand what defines a single drink. To be precise, a standard drink in the United States contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. This typically equates to:
- 12 ounces (355 ml) of beer with about 5% alcohol
- 5 ounces (148 ml) of wine with about 12% alcohol
- 1.5 ounces (44 ml) of distilled spirits with about 40% alcohol
Having a greater understanding of what constitutes a standard drink can help you better adhere to moderate consumption guidelines.
The health benefits of drinking in moderation
Instead of reaching for that extra drink, try to focus on the research-backed benefits of alcohol consumption in moderation:
- Reduced risk of heart disease: Moderate alcohol drinkers are less prone to developing heart disease than non-drinkers. This seems to hold true, especially for red wine, which contains resveratrol—a substance that protects the heart.
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Lower risk of stroke: Studies have found that moderate alcohol consumption can be linked to a lower risk of clot-caused strokes, especially in women.
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Increased healthy cholesterol levels: Having a drink or two could help maintain and even boost healthy cholesterol levels, reducing your risk for heart disease.
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Decreased risk of cognitive decline: While excessive drinking can result in cognitive problems and even Alzheimer’s disease, mild to moderate alcohol consumption has been connected to a lowered risk of mental decline, specifically in older adults.
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Improved social engagement: Moderate alcohol drinkers tend to experience increased social interaction and mental well-being.
Remember, moderation is the keyword when it comes to enjoying alcohol responsibly. Be sure to monitor your intake and avoid crossing the line from occasional drinks to excessive consumption to protect your health long-term.
