Your body has lots of other things going on inside of it and not everyone reacts to alcohol the same way, especially when it comes to serious conditions or illness. Here are a few ways to navigate your own health when it comes to drinking:
Alcohol and Your Heart
There are reports that indicate that when consumed responsibly alcohol actually can lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. However, the risk of heart disease and stroke rises when alcohol consumption exceeds recommended weekly limits.
Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses
Many people do not realize that drinking alcohol is associated with a number of serious health problems. These include several types of cancer, such as mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and liver cancer. The risk of breast cancer in women is also increased with drinking. As a person’s average weekly consumption of alcohol increases, so does the chance of facing these illnesses. Alcohol can also contribute significant calories which makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
The Bottom Line
Do not drink to improve your health. There is no level of drinking that is “no risk” – drinking, even at moderate levels, brings some risk of chronic disease.
Resources from Alberta Health
