Is a Small Amount of Alcohol Good for You: Alcohol and Health

There is a belief that the occasional drink is healthy. The occasional glass of red wine can lower a person’s risk of cardiovascular issues. But is this true? Is a small amount of alcohol good for you, or is that just a myth? Let’s discuss whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

Does Consuming Alcohol Have Any Health Benefits?

People drink alcohol for various reasons. They drink it when they go out with their friends or when they need to relax after a long day at work. Most people are aware that alcohol isn’t good for them, but is a small amount of alcohol good for you? One drink may not cause a person any harm, but most people are aware that alcohol isn’t healthy.

The World Health Organisation takes the position that no amount of alcohol intake is safe. Even if moderate drinking did have some small health benefits, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Some studies suggest moderate alcohol consumption may help a person avert some health problems, but whether alcohol has any health benefits is a contentious issue in research.

Why Do People Believe Alcohol Can Be Good for Health?

One of the primary reasons people believe this is that studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, can improve cardiovascular health. The media may take these studies out of context or exaggerate certain aspects, which can create an impression that alcohol is good for the heart.

However, as mentioned previously, the WHO has taken the stance that no level of consumption is safe, and the United States CDC posits that even moderate consumption can increase a person’s cancer risk.

Another reason that people may see alcohol as healthy is that it can provide temporary relief from stress, which can help a person’s mental health in the short term. However, alcohol is a depressant.

Even if there were any health benefits to alcohol, the risks that it presents are far greater than any potential benefits.

Immediate Health Effects of Alcohol Use

People who have built up a tolerance to alcohol may be able to hold their liquor, but those who don’t drink often may find that consuming any level of alcohol can have several immediate health effects. Some of the ways that drinking alcohol can immediately affect a person’s health include:

Increased Accident Risk

Alcohol can affect the brain. It can affect a person’s ability to make decisions, slow down their reflexes, and impair their coordination. This can increase the risk of accidents or other risky behaviour, which can lead to injuries.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic. This can make a person need to urinate more, and can lead to dehydration. This can also lead to electrolyte imbalance and contribute to a hangover.

Nausea

Alcohol can also irritate a person’s stomach lining and increase acid production. This can lead to nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

Alcohol Poisoning

In cases of binge drinking, which is when a person consumes a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time, a person may suffer alcohol poisoning. Symptoms can include confusion, irregular breathing, and loss of consciousness.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption

The immediate health effects of alcohol can be distressing. However, the real dangers of alcohol consumption won’t present themselves until after regular, repeated consumption. These can include:

Liver Damage

The most prominent long-term health effect of alcohol use is that it can damage a person’s liver. Long-term drinkers may develop alcoholic hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. They could also potentially develop cirrhosis, which is permanent scarring of liver tissue and can be life-threatening.

Cardiovascular Issues

Despite red wine’s supposed cardiovascular benefits, consuming alcohol can lead to cardiovascular issues. It can raise blood pressure and weaken the heart muscle over time, which increases a person’s risk of stroke and heart disease.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Alcohol use can irritate a drinker’s stomach lining. Over time, this can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as pancreatitis. 

Cancer

Alcohol consumption has been linked to various forms of cancer. These include throat cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer in women. Note that it’s not excessive alcohol consumption that increases the risk of cancer. All drinks that contain alcohol increase the risk of cancer.

Addiction and Dependence

Another prominent effect of drinking alcohol is addiction and dependence. This is when a person finds themselves mentally or physically needing to drink alcohol despite any consequences that they might face as a result of their consumption, and they may need comprehensive treatment to overcome it.

Should I Stop Drinking Entirely?

Is a small amount of alcohol good for you? Drinking alcohol comes with risks, and it’s a public health concern in the United Kingdom. In 2023, there were more than 8,200 alcohol-related deaths in England. But alcohol consumption is also deeply ingrained in society.

While not drinking alcohol is best for health, total abstinence may not be needed for everyone. Of course, those who are addicted to it should seek immediate treatment, preferably at a rehab centre. 

If you do choose to continue consuming alcohol, then understand that there are risks involved and that they far outweigh any supposed health benefits.