Has a daily drink replaced the apple a day keeps the doctor away? Could it be that drinking has health benefits?!

So, what might be the cumulative health effects if you were to down a beer every day over a certain period of time? Surprisingly, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, your risk of painful kidney stones will be reduced by an estimated 40%!

Studies have shown that moderate drinking can increase “good cholesterol” levels by as much as 20%, when accompanied by regular exercise and a healthy diet. Research also suggests that moderate drinking can increase insulin sensitivity, thus reducing the risk of diabetes. And, recent studies found that women who enjoy a little alcohol may be more likely to keep their minds as they age! Who knew?

Good news for those of us who love sipping a glass of wine with dinner, or enjoy an evening cocktail, right?! So, does alcohol help or hurt?

Here’s the thing; it’s all about moderation. It’s about how much you drink that matters. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention – up to one drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men – not averaged over the week – is moderate.

According to the experts, it doesn’t make too much difference whether you prefer wine, beer, or spirits. The research evidence points to ethanol – or the alcohol component – of beer, wine, or spirits, as the substance that can help lower cholesterol levels, increase HDL (good cholesterol), and improve insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals.

BUT, binge drinking can put your health at serious risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks South Africa at number 4 on a list of countries with the biggest boozers. This classifies us as heavy drinkers who binge on a minimum of five beers or glasses of wine in a single sitting for men, and more than 3 drinks for women.

Also, here’s the real scary statistic: The WHO recently reported that dangerous alcohol use was responsible for 3.3 million deaths in one year! Some of these deaths were attributed to long-term health effects where alcohol was a factor (breast cancer, liver disease, heart disease) while others were the result of alcohol related incidence (violence, alcohol poisoning, and motor vehicle accidents).

So, should people who doesn’t drink at all start drinking, simply because of the health benefits? Not a good idea. There are many ways to reduce the risk of chronic diseases besides moderate drinking – a healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight and kicking the smoking habit; are much healthier options.

Tips on sensible drinking

• Know your limit. Alcohol affects people differently depending on age, gender, weight, and how much they have eaten.
• Eat while you drink. High protein foods such as cheese and peanuts will help to slow down the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system.
• Sip your drink. Smell and taste the flavours, particularly for wine. Choose quality over quantity.
• Drink water between alcoholic drinks.
• Top your drink up with soda or water.
• Avoid top-ups so you can keep track of how much you’re drinking.
• Beware of unfamiliar drinks. Fruit and Rum drinks for instance, can be deceiving, as the alcohol is not always detectable.
• Appoint a designated driver.
• Don’t drink if you’re not in a positive state of mind. Alcohol is a depressant, so, if you’re upset it’s very likely to make you feel worse.
• Don’t drink if you’re on prescription meds. Avoid alcohol when taking certain antibiotics, anti-depressants, or arthritic meds. This can include over the counter drugs such as sleeping pills, or cold and cough medicines. Always check with your doctor first.
• Respect the right of individuals who do not wish to drink.

So, the bottom line is to drink responsibly. That means having no more than 1-2 drinks per day, having them at mealtime and as part of a healthy diet, making sure you aren’t exceeding your calorie needs.

Source: www.sab.co.za, www.medicinenet.com, www.drinksmart.com, www.enjouresponsibly.co.uk, businesstech.co.za, citizen.co.za, www.voicesoftheworld.org, www.news24.com, www.aa.co.za, www.yahoo .com, mercola.com, www.indiana.edu