The active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, a simple molecule called ethanol, affects the body in many different ways. Heavy drinking can damage the liver and heart, harm an unborn child, increase the chances of developing breast and some other cancers, contribute to depression and violence, and interfere with relationships.Īlcohol’s two-faced nature shouldn’t come as a surprise. In the U.S., alcohol is implicated in about half of fatal traffic accidents. Heavy drinking is a major cause of preventable death in most countries. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones. ![]() It’s safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The debate still simmers today, with a lively back-and-forth over whether alcohol is good for you or bad for you. Throughout the 10,000 or so years that humans have been drinking fermented beverages, they’ve also been arguing about their merits and demerits. ![]() – The Bottom Line: Balancing Risks and Benefits Introduction – What’s Moderate Alcohol Intake? What’s a Drink? Moderate drinking can be healthy-but not for everyone.
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