How much alcohol is safe to drink daily? Know WHO’s new warning, mathematics of standard drink and its effect on liver. – ..

Often in a gathering of friends or in a social gathering, a debate arises that ‘drinking a little alcohol every day is not harmful for health’ or ‘drinking red wine or beer in small quantities is good for the heart.’ However, health experts and the latest guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) have completely rejected this notion. According to WHO, no amount of alcohol is completely ‘safe’ for health. Alcohol is a toxic and carcinogenic substance. This means that the more or less amount of alcohol you consume, the health risks increase or decrease in the same proportion.

What is the mathematics of ‘standard drink’? Guidelines for men and women

In medical science, ‘Standard Drink’ is used to measure the amount of alcohol. A standard drink contains approximately 10 to 14 grams of pure alcohol. If we consider it according to different drinks:

• beer: Approximately 330 to 350 ml. (5% alcohol)

• Wine: Approximately 140 to 150 ml. (12% alcohol)

• Hard Liquor (Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, Gin): About 30 to 40 ml. A peg of (40% alcohol)

According to various international health organizations (such as the US Dietary Guidelines), if an adult drinks alcohol at all, the maximum amount per day for men should be 2 standard drinks and for women during the day 1 standard drink is considered the ‘moderate’ or low risk range. Women have less water in their bodies than men and due to enzyme differences, alcohol affects them more quickly.

Drinking alcohol daily has a direct effect on these body parts.

Even if the quantity is small, the habit of drinking alcohol daily harms many major organs of the body:

• Liver: Drinking alcohol daily does not give the liver time to metabolize alcohol, which increases the risk of fatty liver, then hepatitis and ultimately liver cirrhosis.

• Heart and blood pressure: Regular consumption increases the risk of high blood pressure (Hypertension), irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmia) and cardiomyopathy.

• Mental Health: Alcohol is a depressant. It unbalances the neurotransmitters of the brain and causes sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety and weakening of memory.

• Risk of Cancer: Regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, mouth and esophagus (food pipe) cancer manifold.

Important advice to avoid alcohol addiction and stay healthy

If you drink alcohol, go completely ‘alcohol-free’ for at least 3 to 4 days a week to give your liver and other body parts time to recover. Drink plenty of water when drinking alcohol, never drink alcohol on an empty stomach and do not use it as a means to relieve stress or induce sleep. If you have daily cravings for alcohol or feel uneasy without drinking, it is a sign of dependency and you should consult a doctor or counselor without any delay.