First Know the Limits
Let’s get one thing straight before you launch that petition to replace the office water cooler with a beer keg: Women should have no more than one drink daily (5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor), men no more than two. After that, risks increase and benefits become less clear-cut.
Benefits Your Heart
Moderate drinking lowers your risk for heart attack, stroke, and hardened arteries by 25% to 40% if you are healthy otherwise. Part of this may be because moderate alcohol consumption can raise your HDL-or “good”-cholesterol level. On the other hand, heavy drinking damages your heart.
Increases Your Level of Activity
Compared to people who do not drink, moderate drinkers are very likely to exercise. Added to that, it may have more positive effects on them. The more you exercise the more likely you are to drink sometimes. Scientists do not know what the exact cause of this association is.
Avoiding Kidney Stones
Regular heavy drinkers are at a lower risk of developing kidney stones, specifically 41 percent for beer drinkers and 33 percent for wine drinkers. Alcohol can have the same effect as caffeine in coffee and tea in terms of increasing fluid loss and promoting the passing of small crystals that make up stones. On the contrary, heavy drinking also causes dehydration of the body, thereby increasing an individual’s risk of kidney stones, among other conditions.
Improves Your Social Skills
You love being around friends who are more convivial. Moreover, people are more likely to talk when they have a drink or two compared to, for instance, sodas. They are also more likely to keep every person involved in the conversation and sharing smiles. Do not overdo it, though; there is a reason it is called happy hour.
Improves Your Sex Life
Sex can reduce stress, and a glass of wine can make the process easier. One study found that women drinking one or two glasses of red wine per day reported sexual arousal, desire, and sexual satisfaction higher than the ones who did not consume the drink. Those with more consumption showed no difference. In addition, this drink can make men friskier because their testosterone level would increase. Conversely, drinking too much can eventually lead to impotence since men will lose their ability and even interest in engaging in sexual activities.
Benefits to Your Brain
It’s said that having a few drinks a week can help to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s. Also, moderate drinking might lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are two conditions that can speed up the effects of Alzheimer’s.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Wine with dinner, cocktails at happy hour, may lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. Scientists are not exactly sure why, but one theory is it may have to do with the ability of a few drinks to help your body process high blood sugar levels correctly.
