Alcohol Intake

First we take a look at the amount of energy in alcohol compared to other nutrients:

  • 1 gram of alcohol = 7 calories
  • 1 gram of protein = 4 calories
  • 1 gram of fat = 9 calories
  • 1 gram of carbohydrate = 3.75 calories

Moderate amount of alcohol consumption is helpful for our heart. Red wine lowers the risk of heart attack in middle age. Red wine can raise HDL cholesterol which is good for health and prevent LDL cholesterol from forming which is bad for health. Red wine is a rich source of antioxidants flavonoid phenolics, so many studies to uncover a cause for red wine's effects have focused on its phenolic constituents, particularly resveratrol and the flavonoids. Flavonoids, on the other hand, exhibit antioxidant properties helping prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries.

Alcohol consumption is not recommended. If consumed, limit alcoholic drinks to less than two drinks a day for men and one for women. There is convincing evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and liver. In addition, it probably increases the risk of cancers of the colon, rectum and breast. Drinking alcohol and smoking is a particularly troubling combination. Cancers of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and larynx develop when sensitive tissues are directly exposed to alcohol in beverages. The relationship of alcohol intake to liver cancer has been recognized.

Risks

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. It also can harm the liver, brain, and heart. Alcoholic drinks also contain calories, which matter if you are trying to lose weight.Moderation of intake is the key to prevention of alcohol-induced cancer. Because many of the cancers induced by alcohol result from heavy consumption, reducing levels of consumption will considerably lessen the cancer risk. Because of the interaction of alcohol and tobacco, smoking cessation will also reduce the effect of alcohol on oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers.

Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any form. It can cause birth defects.

HDL Cholesterol | LDL Cholesterol