Eulalee Thompson - BE WELL

This may not be the best news for teetotallers but neither is it Christmas-come-early for imbibers. It's just a reminder that scientists have said that it's okay for us to drink ... moderately. Some of our grannies may have known this all along, taking a little brandy or 'whites' just before bedtime, 'to steady the nerves'. Science has now caught up with practice.

Health benefits

In fact, it's not just okay to have a drink or two each day, it's actually healthy. There are some delightful health benefits to drinking alcohol, moderately that is. The various studies say that alcohol could:

1. Cut your risk of developing heart disease and peripheral vascular diseases.

2. Cut your risk of dying of a heart attack.

3. Reduce gallstone risk.

4. Possibly lower diabetes risk.

5. Possibly lower risks for strokes (especially the type known as ischaemic strokes).

What's moderate drinking?

Moderate drinking, to achieve the health benefits outlined above, is clearly defined by scientists. It's like a prescription, so pay careful attention to the dosage. Moderate drinking is:

1. Two drinks per day, if you are a man, 65 years old or younger.

2. One drink per day, if you are a woman or a man, 66 years old and older.

A drink of alcohol is not just any amount that your heart desires, it is actually defined as 12 ounces (355 millilitres) of beer; five ounces (148 millilitres) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 millilitres) of 80-proof distilled spirits (that is, you know, the strong stuff).

That sounds pretty generous. Well now, you can't say that these health geeks are trying to take all the fun out of life.

eulalee.thompson@gleanerjm.com

A drink of alcohol is not just any amount that your heart desires, it is actually defined as 12 ounces (355 milli-litres) of beer; five ounces (148 milli-litres) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 millilitres) of 80-proof distilled spirits (that is, you know, the strong stuff).

Excessive drinking

But, not so fast. Put down that beer bottle or flask of white rum. On the flip side, few scientists would recommend that non-drinkers start up a drinking habit. The caution is always to drink moderately, or not at all, because excessive drinking carries serious health catastrophe. For example, it can cause:

1. Cirrhosis of your liver.

2. High blood pressure and strokes.

3. Damage to your heart muscle, leading to heart failure.

4. Various cancers including of the mouth, throat, pancreas, breast and so on.

5. Sudden death, especially if you are a patient with cardiovascular disease.

6. Motor vehicle accidents and injuries due to impairment in driving and motor behaviour skills.

7. Foetal distress, and so pregnant women should not drink.

You shouldn't be drinking

Even if you decide not to drink excessively, there are still some people, who health experts say, should not drink. See if you fall into one of these groups:

1. Have a family history of alcoholism.

2. Pregnant women.

3. Taking some prescription or over-the-counter medication. Alcohol may interact with, for example, antibiotics, aspirins, antidepressants, anticoagulants, pain relievers, sleeping pills, anti-seizure drugs and so on. So, check with your health-care provider before having a drink.

4. Those with histories of liver and pancreatic diseases and haemorrhagic strokes.

5. Those with precancerous changes.