How Much Alcohol Is Safe to Drink?
Excessive alcohol intake can cause significant brain damage. However, an emerging body of research suggests that modest alcohol consumption may be beneficial for the brain.
A 2018 study [8] that followed 9,087 participants for 23 years found that people who did not drink alcohol in midlife were more likely to develop dementia. Dementia risk was lowest among those who consumed 14 or fewer units of alcohol per week.
The 2015–2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. People who should avoid alcohol include those who:
- Are recovering from alcohol use disorder
- Are taking drugs that interact with alcohol
- Are pregnant
- Have certain liver diseases
- Find it difficult to control their drinking
Safe alcohol consumption varies from person to person, and different sources recommend various intakes. It is best to take an individualized approach. Talk to a healthcare professional about their drinking history and personal risk factors to get tailored advice on safe alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
It is important that your alcohol intake is under control and if possible avoid it completely. This is because it does more harm than good in the body. Excessive alcohol can cause serious health issues, starting from it affecting the brain functions. The sooner you get your alcohol consumption under control, the better your health condition can gradually be.
Reference:
[1] https://www.physio-pedia.com/Cerebral_Cortex
[2] https://www.pituitary.org.uk/information/what-is-the-pituitary-gland/
[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
[4] https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
[5] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b1/
[6] https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/what-is-gestation
[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
[8] https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k2927