Alcohol

“If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start because of potential
health benefits. However, if you drink a light to moderate
amount and you’re healthy, you can probably continue…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Alcohol Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Alcohol
  • Booze
  • Drug
  • Grog
  • Liquor

Definition

What is alcohol?

DotS the definition of alcohol may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches”.2

Good or Not

Is alcohol good for you?

In Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start because of potential health benefits. However, if you drink a light to moderate amount and you’re healthy, you can probably continue as long as you drink responsibly. Be sure to check with your doctor about what’s right for your health and safety”.3

Women and Alcohol

If women choose to drink alcohol, what does moderate drinking mean?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) this may vary. For the United States in Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – Drinking Patterns: What Does Moderate Drinking Mean? the CDC explain:

“According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 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 and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more”.4

For the United Kingdom (UK) in UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines Drinkaware.co.uk elaborate on:

“The Chief Medical Officers’ guideline for both men and women are:

  • To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
  • If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it’s best to spread your drinking over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of death from long-term illness and from accidents and injuries
  • The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis…”.5

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

“The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guideline for reducing health risks associated with drinking alcohol defines ‘low risk’ alcohol consumption for healthy women as no more than two standard drinks on any day with regular alcohol free days”.6

Standard Drink

What is a standard drink?

DotS and/or DotC the definition of a standard drink may vary. In the United States according to the (United States) National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

“In the United States, one “standard” drink (or one alcoholic drink equivalent) contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in:

  • 12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol
  • 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol
  • 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol”.7

Unit of Alcohol

What is a unit of alcohol?

DotS and/or DotC this may vary. In What Is An Alcohol Unit? What Is An Alcohol Unit? the UK according to Drinkaware.co.uk:

“One unit is 10ml (millilitres) or 8g (grams) of pure alcohol. Because alcoholic drinks come in different strengths and sizes, units are a way to tell how strong your drink is, which can also help you to make comparisons”.8

High Risk Drinking

What is high risk drinking?

DotS the definition of high risk drinking may vary. In Alcohol: Alcohol & Your Health – High Risk Drinking the JH’s definition is:

“High risk alcohol consumption is best defined as anything that exceeds the consumption of more than two standard drinks per day. High risk drinking, including binge drinking (consumption of excess alcohol over a short space of time) can put your health at serious risk.

Having more than four standard drinks on a single occasion (even if you only do it once or twice per week) may cause health problems, increase risk of injury and accidents and affect relationships with those close to you”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to drink less or stop drinking?

If you would like help to drink less or stop drinking, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The JH note:

“If alcohol is affecting your health and you are having trouble stopping drinking, talk to your doctor and seek expert help”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Alcohol?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Alcohol?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. A.A. Around the World [Alcoholics Anonymous]
  2. About Alcohol Awareness Week [3-9 July 2023, United Kingdom]
  3. Al-Anon Family Groups
  4. Alcohol
  5. Alcohol
  6. Alcohol Calorie Calculator
  7. Alcoholic Drinks and Units
  8. Alcohol Intolerance
  9. Alcohol Misuse
  10. Alcohol Spending Calculator
  11. Alcohol Support
  12. Alcohol Support: Alcohol Units
  13. Alcohol Support: Calories In Alcohol
  14. Alcohol Support: Tips on Cutting Down
  15. Alcohol Use Disorder
  16. Alcohol Use Disorder
  17. Alcohol Use and Cancer
  18. Alcohol Use: Weighing Risks and Benefits
  19. Alcohol and Breast Cancer
  20. Alcohol and Calories
  21. Alcohol and Cancer
  22. Alcohol and Cancer
  23. Alcohol and Cancer Risk
  24. Alcohol and Diabetes
  25. Alcohol and Diabetes
  26. Alcohol and Fitness
  27. Alcohol and Heart Disease
  28. Alcohol and Menopause: A Balancing Act
  29. Alcohol and Menopause: What Are the Risks? [+ Video]
  30. Alcohol and Mental Health
  31. Alcohol and Other Drugs
  32. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions
  33. Alcohol and Sex
  34. Alcohol and Stress
  35. Alcohol and women
  36. Alcohol and the Liver
  37. Alcohol-Free Drinks
  38. Alcoholandcancer.eu [Alcohol and Cancer, Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network (NordAN)]
  39. Alcoholchange.org.uk [Alcohol Change UK]
  40. Alcohol’s Health Effects: What You Need To Know
  41. Are Hangover Cures Urban Myths? Or Do Some Actually Work?
  42. Are You Addicted To Alcohol?
  43. Are You Drinking Too Much?
  44. Breast Cancer Prevention: It’s Never Too Late To Make Changes
  45. Can Coffee Help Cure A Hangover?
  46. Can I Drink Alcohol If I’m Taking Painkillers?
  47. Cocktail Content Calculator
  48. Confronting Alcohol Use Disorder and Misconceptions As A Woman
  49. Considering A ‘Dry’ January? Hear From A Mayo Clinic Expert [+ Video]
  50. Consumer Health: Expert Answers – What Are the Effects of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Antibiotics?
  51. Consumer Health: Grape Juice, Red Wine and Heart Health
  52. Consumer Health: When Is A Hangover An Emergency?
  53. Don’t Let A Little Habit Turn Into A Big Problem
  54. Drink-Refusal Skills: How To Say No To An Alcoholic Drink
  55. Drinkaware.co.uk [Drinkaware, United Kingdom]
  56. Drinking Less and the Benefits for Your Body
  57. Drinkwise.org.au [DrinkWise]
  58. Dry January
  59. Excessive Alcohol Use Is A Risk To Women’s Health
  60. FAQs: Alcohol and Women
  61. Facts About Alcohol
  62. Framingham Heart Study
  63. Hellosundaymorning.org [Hello Sunday Morning]
  64. How Alcohol Affects Relationships
  65. How Alcohol Affects Your Appearance
  66. How Alcohol Affects Your Body
  67. How Is Your Drinking Affecting You?
  68. How Long Does Alcohol Stay In Your System?
  69. How To Cut Down on Alcohol At Home
  70. How To Get Things Back on Track After A Slip-Up
  71. Is A.A. for You? [Alcoholics Anonymous]
  72. Is Alcohol Affecting Your Sex Life?
  73. Limit Alcohol Consumption
  74. Low Alcohol Drinks
  75. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Alcohol and Menopause Can Be A Dangerous Mix [+ Video]
  76. NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator: Find Your Way To Quality Alcohol Treatment [National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, United States]
  77. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [United States]
  78. Need Help With A Drinking Problem?
  79. Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefits
  80. Reduce the Amount You and Your Partner Drink
  81. Rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov [Rethinking Drinking]
  82. Samhsa.gov [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]
  83. Supporting Your Partner or Loved One
  84. The High Cost of Alcohol To Your Health
  85. The Link Between Drinking and Cancer
  86. The Risks of Drinking Too Much
  87. Tips for Cutting Down
  88. Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
  89. Unit & Calorie Calculator
  90. Video Series-2023: Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
  91. What Is An Alcohol Unit?
  92. Sober Spring
  93. Women and Alcohol
  94. Worried About Someone Else’s Drinking?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking. 11 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 29 August 2023
  2. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – About Alcohol: What Is Alcohol? Page Last Reviewed: 19 April 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#top Accessed: 29 August 2023
  3. Nutrition and Healthy Eating: In-Depth – Alcohol: Weighing Risks and Potential Benefit – Deciding About Drinking. 11 December 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551 Accessed: 29 August 2023
  4. Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions – Drinking Patterns: What Does Moderate Drinking Mean? Page Last Reviewed: 19 April 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#top Accessed: 29 August 2023
  5. UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines: Weekly Guidelines. Last Reviewed: 30 June 2022. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/alcoholic-drinks-and-units/low-risk-drinking-guidelines Accessed: 29 August 2023
  6. Alcohol: Alcohol & Your Health: Low Risk Drinking. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 29 August 2023
  7. What Is A Standard Drink? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/what-standard-drink Accessed: 29 August 2023
  8. What Is An Alcohol Unit? What Is An Alcohol Unit? Last Reviewed: 08 March 2023. Drinkaware.co.uk https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcoholic-drinks-units/what-is-an-alcohol-unit/ Accessed: 29 August 2023
  9. Alcohol: Alcohol & Your Health: High Risk Drinking. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 29 August 2023
  10. Alcohol: Alcohol & Menopause. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 17 February 2014. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/healthy-living/alcohol Accessed: 29 August 2023
Topic Last Updated: 05 September 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 29 August 2023

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