Moderation's Role in Drinking
People drink alcohol to unwind, celebrate, socialize and some simply enjoy the taste. Alcohol can be found in beer, liquor, wine and occasionally in some foods. However, excessive alcohol consumption of any kind can lead to a compound of health related risks. That's precisely why it is important to understand what MODERATION with alcohol looks like and what works best for you.The CDC defines a drink (serving size) as 14 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. To be more precise, this defined amount can typically can be found in 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol) and a shot or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor or distilled spirits (40% alcohol).
Photo: NIAAA
Though it's been observed that a glass of red wine may have more health benefits compared to other alcoholic beverages, none of them are “safer” to drink than the other in regards to alcohol content of the described serving size. So keep in mind that operating a vehicle, heavy machinery or any device while under the influence of alcohol (no matter how much you have consumed) is not recommended.According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate alcohol consumption for women is one drink daily and 2 drinks daily for men. This recommendation is on any given singular day and is not meant to be used for averaging consumption over time. In fact, the CDC urges non-drinkers to avoid alcohol consumption for any reason and anyone to avoid continual, long-term use.If you consume 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men within a two hour period, this is considered binge drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shares that these amounts usually indicate a drinking pattern that can bring the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. Furthermore, women who consume 3 or more beverages daily or 7 weekly are typically defined as heavy or high-risk drinkers whereas for men, it's 4 drinks daily and 14 per week.If you choose to partake in a drink from time to time, do so safely and wisely. For further tips and tricks to live a modern lifestyle and moderate your alcohol consumption check out our blog on Limiting Your Alcohol Intake.We are here to help! If you’re ready for support or want more information on alcohol awareness, drop us an email or give us a call at 877-293-9355 ext. 0!
– CASEY EDMONDS, CHC
