Jillian Wilson writes for the Huffington Post on a new federal study that highlights both the immediate and long-term risks of drinking alcohol. The administration is not publishing the study, though you can read a draft of the study that was released for public comment several months ago.
The findings in the report were intended to shape new alcohol drinking guidelines in the United States. But, a different report, seemingly biased and not fact-based, will support the US guidelines. It suggests that it’s OK for women to have one alcoholic drink each day and for men to have two.
The report that the Trump administration has buried–The Alcohol Intake and Health Study–reveals the risk of cancer and more than 200 other chronic conditions from consuming even a small amount of alcohol. Diseases from drinking alcohol include heart disease and mental health disorders.
The study did find that although one drink a day can reduce your risk of stroke, two drinks could increase your risk of stroke. One drink a day or seven drinks a week gives you a one in 1,000 risk of dying as a result of drinking alcohol. Nine drinks a week gives you a one in 100 risk of dying as a result of drinking alcohol.
The immediate effects of alcohol include headaches and hangovers and injuries related to being under the influence. Alcohol affects our mood, energy, brains and digestion.
Other countries, like Ireland, warn people on liquor bottles about the toxic effects of alcohol. Norway advises its citizens to drink as little as possible. Canada tells its citizens that drinking more than six drinks a week puts you at high health risk.
What to do if you drink alcohol every day? You know. Try to skip a day of drinking every so often. Maybe have a mocktail or a nonalcoholic beer. Or soda water. And, if you are struggling with alcohol addiction, Medicare covers alcohol screenings and counseling.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Skip the alcohol, try a nonalcoholic drink
- alcohol-dependency-older-women_infographic
- Medicare covers alcohol screenings and counseling
- How to talk to a loved one about alcohol
- Alcohol abuse among older adults needs addressing
