Just what you want to hear: Alcohol can actually be good for you. It sounds like a mixed message, but it’s true. Alcohol gets bad press most of the time, but it’s mostly in regard to drinking too much—which can often be a problem with college students. Moderate drinking is beneficial, but be aware of the slippery slope that can lead to drinking excessively.
There’s a fine line between moderate drinking and binge drinking, and it’s lower than you might think. Women should generally not drink more than two drinks a day, and men should not drink more than four. This is each standalone day, not an average over several days. Light alcohol consumption can reduce and sometimes eliminate the risk of life-threatening diseases and conditions.
Reduce your risk of heart disease
Currently the number-one cause of death in the U.S., heart disease claims upwards of 1 million lives a year. A study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) found that there was a sharp decrease in the risk of developing heart disease, upward of 40–60 percent.
A Harvard University study found similar results: Moderate drinking increases the amount of HDL cholesterol in your system. This is good cholesterol that reduces your risk of plaque buildup and potential heart attacks. Don’t think that because you’re young, you’re immune to heart attacks; it happens to young people and old people alike.
Reduce risk of stroke and high blood pressure
The natural anti-clotting qualities of alcohol lets your blood flow through your veins without getting stuck.
Reduce risk of diabetes
Diabetes is caused when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or your body isn’t sensitive enough to insulin to transfer glucose to your cells to use for energy. Excess glucose in your bloodstream is dangerous and toxic. Alcohol is found to make the body more sensitive to insulin, therefore reducing the risk of your body developing this chronic and dangerous condition.
Reduce risk of dementia later in life
Alcohol helps keep our brains sharp. Small amounts of alcohol make brain cells more fit, and ethanol helps the neurons in the brain resist wear and tear that can lead to dementia later in life. Alcohol in moderate amounts stresses cells and toughens them up to cope with major stresses down the road that could cause dementia.
You’re less likely to get sick
The antioxidant properties in wine reduce the risk of developing the common cold by as much as 60 percent. This was found in people who consumed between eight and 14 drinks a week—that’s one to two a day, for those keeping track.
Be creative
Alcohol makes you relaxed and more open to creative possibilities. A study done on a group of 40 men found that after two pints of beer, they performed better on creative exams than their sober counterparts.
Look younger and live longer
The antioxidants found in wine increase energy levels and combat signs of aging. The NIAA also found that moderate drinkers had the greatest longevity, even over non-drinkers. When adjusted for other factors, moderate drinkers died young 50 percent less often than heavy drinkers or those who abstained.
Wine, by far, is the most beneficial of all alcoholic beverages out there, mainly due to its antioxidant properties, but all alcoholic beverages provide most of the same upside. Just make sure you drink only in moderation. A serving of wine is five ounces, beer is 12 ounces, and liquor is one and a half ounces. Bear in mind that a standard pint in a bar is 16 ounces, which is 1.3 servings. Even with the restrictions, it’s good news for all that alcohol isn’t as bad for you as some previously believed.
