Binge drinking and your body

SPEAKING OF HEALTH

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023

Drinking alcohol is common in the U.S. About 84% of adults report drinking alcohol at some point in their lives, with 51% reporting drinking in the last month. Some people drink to feel sociable, celebrate a special occasion or to complement a meal. Others drink alcohol to escape from or avoid problems.

Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Examples of one drink include:

• 12 fluid ounces of beer
• 5 fluid ounces of wine
• 1.5 fluid ounces of distilled spirits (80 proof)

Moderate alcohol use may have some benefits, but heavy or binge drinking has no health benefits. It's defined as three drinks in a day or more than seven drinks a week for women and for men older than 65, and more than four drinks in a day or more than 14 drinks a week for men 65 and younger.

Here are answers to questions about the effects of heavy drinking on the body:

Read More: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-drinking-alcohol-kill-brain-cells