Alcohol is a chemical that has an effect on your body, including how you think, feel, and behave. Drinking excessively may have a negative impact on your health and life.
Why does the impact of alcohol vary from person to person?
Drinking’s effects vary based on factors such as quantity, frequency, age, gender, heredity, overall health, and family history of drinking issues.
What is considered moderate drinking?
Moderate drinking typically consists of no more than one standard drink per day for women and two standard drinks per day for males.
Even while moderate drinking is generally considered safe for many individuals, there are still concerns. Moderate drinking increases the chance of dying from some malignancies and heart disorders.
What is the normal drink?
In the US, a normal drink includes around 14 grams of pure alcohol. Examples include 12 ounces of ordinary beer (5% alcohol content), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content), and 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of distilled spirits or liquor (40%).
Who shouldn’t consume alcohol?
Some individuals should not consume alcohol, such as those in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), unable to control their drinking, under 21, pregnant or trying to become pregnant, taking medications that can interact with alcohol, having medical conditions that worsen with alcohol, planning to drive, or engaging in activities requiring skill, coordination, and a high level of coordination.
If you are unsure if it is safe to consume, see your doctor.
What exactly constitutes excessive drinking?
Excessive drinking involves binge drinking and high alcohol consumption.
• Binge drinking occurs when you consume a large amount of alcohol at once, resulting in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
• For men, this often occurs after 5 or more beers within a few hours.
• For women, it often occurs after 4 or more drinks within a few hours.
• Heavy alcohol consumption for males is defined as drinking more than 5 drinks per day or 15 drinks per week.
• Women should limit their alcohol intake to 4 drinks per day or 8 drinks per week.
Binge drinking increases the likelihood of injury, automobile accidents, and alcohol overdose. It also increases your chances of being aggressive or being the victim of violence.
Alcohol can disrupt communication networks in the brain, affecting its appearance and function. These disturbances can affect mood and behavior, making it difficult to think properly and move with coordination.
Drinking excessively over time or on a single event can harm the heart, leading to issues such as cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Heavy drinking can harm the liver and cause inflammation, leading to diseases such as:
• Steatosis, often known as fatty liver.
• Alcohol hepatitis • Fibrosis • Cirrhosis
Alcohol can induce pancreatitis, a serious inflammation that causes swelling, discomfort, and affects the pancreas’ capacity to generate enzymes and hormones needed for digesting.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) confirms that alcohol use can increase the risk of cancer. The US Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program identifies alcohol intake as a known human carcinogen in its Report on Carcinogens. The research suggests that the more alcohol a person consumes, particularly when consumed on a regular basis, the greater his or her chance of acquiring an alcohol-related cancer. Even individuals who drink no more than one drink per day, as well as those who binge drink (consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for males in one session), have a slightly higher risk of certain malignancies. According to 2009 data, alcohol was responsible for 3.5% of cancer fatalities in the United States (about 19,500 deaths).
Clear connections have developed between alcohol intake and an elevated risk of some forms of cancer.
• Cancers of the head and neck, including the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
• Esophageal cancer, namely squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, those who inherit a defect in an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol are significantly more likely to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma if they consume alcohol.
• Liver cancer.
• Research indicates a link between alcohol intake and breast cancer, with even one drink per day increasing a woman’s risk by 5% to 15% compared to non-drinkers. • Colorectal cancer.
To learn more about alcohol and cancer, go to the National Cancer Institute’s “Alcohol and Cancer Risk” webpage (last viewed June 6, 2024).
Immune System:
Drinking excessively can impair your immune system, making your body a prime target for illness. Chronic drinkers are more likely to get illnesses like pneumonia and TB than those who do not drink excessively. Drinking excessively on a single occasion impairs your body’s capacity to fight infections, even up to 24 hours later.
Overview of the several types of alcohol
There are various general classifications of alcohol. Distilled spirits include base liquors and liqueurs, as well as wine and beer. In each area, we’ll provide the liquor names, prominent brands, and samples of the best cocktails produced with that alcohol. Alcohol comes in two types: base liquors (gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum, and brandy) and liqueurs (amaretto, Kahlua, Campari, Baileys, and more).
• Wines and fortified wines (vermouth, sherry, marsala).
• Beer
6 basic liquor names.
Liquor is a distilled alcoholic beverage, often known as a spirit. Gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum, and brandy are the six basic liquors included in this category. It also includes liqueurs, which are distilled spirits flavoured with sugar, fruits, herbs, or spices. Liqueurs are often lower in proof alcohol. Here’s more about these six fundamental forms of alcohol.
Gin
Gin is a distilled liquor flavored with juniper berries. Popular brands include Tanqueray, London Dry, and Old Tom. Popular drinks include Gin Fizz, Gin and Tonic, Tom Collins, and Best Gin drinks.
Vodka is a transparent distilled liquor from Europe that has a neutral taste.
• Popular brands include Tito’s, Skyy, and Absolut Vodka.
• Top drinks include Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Best Vodka drinks.
Whiskey is a distilled spirit derived from grain mash. There are several whiskey varieties originating in various places. Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Scotch Whiskey, Canadian Whisky, Japanese Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, and Irish Whiskey are all popular varieties. There are also flavored whiskies, such as Peanut Butter Whisky and Fireball Whisky.
• Information on Whiskey Types, Rye Whiskey Guide, Irish Whiskey Guide, Bourbon vs Whiskey, Scotch vs Whiskey, Fireball Whisky Guide, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Guide. • \tPopular brand names include Maker’s Mark (Bourbon), Woodford Reserve (Bourbon), Jameson (Irish Whiskey), Crown Royal (Canadian Whiskey), Jack Daniels (Tennessee Whiskey), and Skrewball (Peanut Butter Whiskey).
• Top drinks include Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, and Best Whiskey drinks.
Tequila
Tequila is a distilled liquor created in Mexico from the blue agave plant, often known as agave tequiliana. Tequila is a kind of mezcal. Tequila styles include blanco, reposado, and añejo.
• Types of Tequila: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Mezcal versus Tequila.
• Popular brands include Patrón Silver Tequila and Jose Cuervo Tequila.
• Top cocktails: Margarita, Paloma, and Best Tequila Cocktails.
Rum is a distilled beverage derived from sugarcane molasses or juice. Rum styles include white rum, golden rum, black rum, and aged rum. Cachaça (used in the popular Caiprinha) is regarded as a sort of Brazilian rum. Because of its added sugar and low alcohol content, coconut rum is classified as a liqueur.
• Popular brand names include Bacardi Rum, Captain Morgan Rum, Goslings Black Seal Rum, and Malibu Coconut Rum (a coconut liqueur).
• Top drinks include mojitos, daiquiris, best rum cocktails, dark rum cocktails, and white rum cocktails.
Brandy is a beverage created by distilling wine or other fruits, such as apples or apricots. Popular brands include Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, Brandy de Jerez, American Brandy, and Pisco.
• Popular brand names include Hennessy and Rémy Martin Cognac.
• Recommended cocktails: Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, 10 Cognac Cocktails, or 15 Best Brandy Cocktails.
Brewed alcohol types include wine, beer, and sake
Wine and beer are both examples of brewed alcohol, not distilled spirits such as base liquor and liqueurs. Here are some typical examples of each:
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced from fermented grape juice. It is enjoyed worldwide, both plain and incorporated into cocktails. See 15 Best Wine Cocktails and 13 Simple Champagne Cocktails. The major types of wine are:
• Red wine.
• White wine.
• Rosé wine
• Sparkling wines include Champagne (French), Prosecco (Italian), and Cava (Spanish).
• Fortified wine (see below)
Fortified wine.
Fortified wine is a sort of alcohol in which a distilled spirit (often brandy) is added to stabilize the wine. Aromatized wine is a fortified wine that contains natural tastes such as fruits, herbs, and botanicals. Some fortified wines are consumed directly or used in cooking. Vermouth is the most common fortified wine for cocktails. Some fortified wines are extremely sweet and referred to as dessert wines.
Lillet or cocchi americano
Lillet is a French aperitif consisting of aromatized wine flavored with herbs and citrus. There are three varieties of Lillet created from various wines: Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rosé, and Lillet Rouge. Cocchi Americano, an Italian aperitif, has a sweeter flavor since it is produced from Moscato wine. See the Quick Guide to Lillet Blanc or Quick Guide to Cocchi Americano.
Madeira, Marsala and Port
Madeira is a Portuguese fortified wine that comes in a variety of varieties, including dry and sweet. Marsala is a fortified wine created in Sicily that comes in a variety of styles, from dry to sweet. Both are suitable as an aperitif (before dinner), digestif (after supper), or in cooking.
Port is a sweet fortified wine from Portugal that is traditionally served as a dessert wine. See the White Port and Tonic.
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine produced in Spain by combining grape liquor with white wine. The flavor is crisp, with a strong apple cider aroma and a dry finish.
Vermouth
Vermouth is a type of liquor, although it is fortified wine rather than distilled alcohol. It serves as a supporting character in many popular drinks. Styles include dry, sweet, semi-dry, and semi-sweet. See the Negroni, Manhattan, and Top Vermouth Cocktails.
Beer
Beer is an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented cereal grains, most notably barley. It is drunk worldwide, both straight and in cocktails. See Best Beer Cocktails. Beers are often classified into two types: lager and ale. Within each class, there are several types that varies in color, bitterness/sweetness, density, and alcohol concentration. Here are a few of the most frequent styles:
• Ales: Blonde, Brown, Pale, and India. Pale ale (IPA), sour ale, porter, stout
• Lagers include American Lager, Lite Lager, Pilsner, Wheat Beer, and Amber. Dark
Sake
Sake (pronounced “sah-kay”) is a Japanese fermented rice beverage also known as rice wine. It has a smooth flavor and a dry finish, similar to dry white wine or dry vermouth. See Sake Southside Cocktail.
Other Fermented Beverages
• Mead is a fermented beverage created from honey, water, and yeast. • Hard cider is a fermented beverage prepared from apple juice.
Learn more about Alcohol
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