| Like most things in life, alcohol is a two-edged sword. | | | | carcinogenic properties of other substances in your |
| Its health benefits have long been known. Even the | | | | body. For example, if you smoke cigarettes and drink |
| Bible mentions the good effects of alcohol | | | | alcohol, the alcohol will boost the negative effects of |
| consumption. Moderate alcohol drinking can help stave | | | | nicotine in your body. |
| off numerous disorders such as hypertension, heart | | | | Liver disease is a common side effect of excessive |
| attacks, strokes, and a host of other health | | | | alcoholic consumption. It can lead to three types of |
| problems. But take note: it's MODERATE | | | | liver conditions - fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. |
| consumption. | | | | You see the liver can only cope with a certain |
| On the other hand, immoderate consumption can | | | | amount of alcohol a day. Go beyond this amount and |
| LEAD to a multitude of health problems. Anyone | | | | the liver gets stressed, its normal function impeded. |
| who's ever drunk too much and experienced a | | | | Other possible health disorders excessive drinking can |
| hangover the next day will attest to this. The | | | | lead to are stomach disorders, pancreatitis, damage |
| accompanying headache, nausea, and vomiting are no | | | | to nervous tissue, depression, anxiety, impotence, |
| fun at all. Sometimes this trio is accompanied by a | | | | damage to fetuses, and alcoholic dependence. In |
| fourth symptom: body pains. It's sort of like the | | | | addition, when you drink too much alcohol you |
| Three Musketeers and their buddy D'Artagnan. | | | | weaken your immune system, making yourself more |
| Fortunately, hangovers are a temporary effect of | | | | susceptible to colds, flu, or whatever viruses are |
| excessive drinking. Time and enough sleep will | | | | going around. Plus alcohol drinking is closely associated |
| dissipate these effects. | | | | with an increased risk of fatal accidents. Nothing is a |
| There are, however, more lasting effects. For one | | | | worse health effect than a fatal accident. |
| thing, take too much alcohol consistently and you're | | | | "But what about all the health benefits you |
| going to gain weight. Alcohol has a lot of calories. And | | | | mentioned at the start of this article?" you may be |
| yes, it's true. Too much drinking of beer will give you | | | | wondering. Yes, of course, those are real. I wasn't |
| a beer belly. Not very attractive. But that's not the | | | | making that up. But remember, the benefits come |
| real issue. Excessive weight gain can lead to health | | | | with moderate consumption. So what does moderate |
| problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, | | | | translate to? Well, in the USA, that would be one |
| and diabetes. | | | | drink a day for a woman or two drinks for a man. |
| Inordinate alcohol consumption over an extended | | | | U.K. standards allow for two to three units of alcohol |
| period puts you at a higher risk of developing cancer. | | | | per day for women, and three to four units for men. |
| Alcohol is not a major carcinogen, but the | | | | If you can consistently keep to those levels, you'll be |
| International Agency for Research on Cancer has | | | | doing yourself a favor. The thing is the tendency is |
| discovered enough evidence proving that alcohol can | | | | most cultures is to encourage excessive drinking. |
| have a carcinogenic effect. Two to four percent of | | | | So take a good look at your drinking patterns. You |
| cancer cases can be directly or indirectly linked to | | | | don't need to give up alcohol, but consider whether |
| excessive drinking of alcohol. And it is definitely a | | | | cutting down is something that would be beneficial to |
| co-carcinogen, meaning it strengthens the | | | | you. Find out your actual situation. |