New federal dietary guidelines for Americans suggest simply limiting your alcohol intake. better health.
The change in guidelines challenges previous standards that set a moderate drinking limit of one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
a standard drink According to experts, this equates to about 12 ounces of beer, about 5 ounces of wine, and about 1.5 ounces of liqueur.
Study finds increased risk of stroke is associated with drinking a certain amount of alcohol
heavy drinking It is defined as four or more drinks per day for women and five or more drinks per day for men, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Drinking this amount of alcohol within two hours is usually considered binge drinking, which is responsible for more than half of alcohol-related deaths in the United States.
“Falls, burns, car accidents, memory loss, drug interactionsassault, drowning, and death from overdose,” the group warns on its website.
Many patients may believe that their binge drinking is OK because they “can hold it in,” but in reality, their high alcohol tolerance is more of a cause for concern, the NIAAA said.
“People with this trait tend to drink more, which increases their risk for alcohol-related problems,” the institute says.
“Patients who drink alcohol within dietary guidelines may also not be aware that even if they don’t feel a ‘buzz,’ their driving may be impaired.”
FOX News Senior Medical Analyst Dr. Mark Siegel said he agreed with the change in guidelines because setting standards would send an “unintentional message that some amounts of alcohol are safe.”
A little-known prescription drug is helping Americans drink less
“It doesn’t make much sense to set an arbitrary number, especially since people tend not to follow it,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Not only that, but since then, alcohol is addictivewhat starts out as one drink quickly becomes two… It’s a social lubricant, which has its positive aspects, but it’s also a toxin. ”
For more health stories, click here
In addition to the dangers of drinking while driving, Siegel suggested further guidelines need to be developed regarding the risks alcohol poses to the liver and heart.
“The less you drink, the better,” he said. “Alcohol impairs judgment and can easily mix with other harmful drugs.” like cannabis, [and can] This may cause serious or fatal accidents. ”
Dr. Isaac Dapkins, chief medical officer and designated facility employee at NYU Langone’s Family Health Center, pointed to the importance of limiting alcohol.
Men and women differ depending on age, body size, and other environmental factors; female body They metabolize less alcohol than men, doctors told Fox News Digital.
Test yourself with our latest lifestyle quiz
In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Mark Hyman, co-founder of California Functional Health, highlighted how women are at increased risk of developing the disease. certain cancers Due to hormonal changes.
Men, on the other hand, are more likely to binge drink and eat, and a single binge drinking session can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, doctors said.
Hyman debunks the myth that drinking alcohol is good for your health heart health.
“There are no cardiovascular health benefits from drinking alcohol,” he said. “These claims are based primarily on observational studies and there are many confounding factors.”
The doctor added: “It’s getting low.” [alcohol] It is best to be abstinent. No one should start or continue drinking something just because they think it’s good for them. ”
Dapkins recommends that individuals check theirs. primary care physician To discuss personal risks.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
“There is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ status for most conditions,” he said. “There is so much new information being discovered about how to characterize an individual’s risk based on family history, behavior, and current medical conditions.”
For those who have a personal history of tobacco use Or if you have a family history of breast cancer, atrial fibrillation, or substance abuse, Dapkins’ advice is to avoid alcohol.
“There is a significant association between alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation (or A. Fib.). high blood pressurebreast cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer, etc.,” he warned. fib. It can cause stroke and is directly related to alcohol consumption. ”
Dapkins said that’s less of a concern for people who don’t have a personal or family history.
“If you choose to drink in moderation, your doctor may be able to detect health conditions early and reduce your risk,” he continued. “The best option is to have a trusted clinician with whom you can maintain a long-term relationship.”
