Alcohol and Nutrition (cont.)
How much can you safely consume?
Alcohol is clearly not essential in our diet
and can end up causing considerable problems. Here are some dietary guidelines for alcohol
consumption:
- Those who choose to drink alcoholic beverages should do so
sensibly and in moderation -- defined as the consumption of up to one drink per day
for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
- Alcoholic beverages should
not be consumed by some individuals, including those who cannot restrict their
alcohol intake, children and adolescents, individuals taking medications that
can interact with alcohol, those with specific medical conditions, women of
childbearing age who may become pregnant, those who are pregnant, and
lactating
women.
- Alcoholic beverages should be avoided by individuals engaging in activities that
require attention, skill, or coordination, such as driving or operating
machinery.
The reason that people consume alcohol is clear, but the cost of this
consumption is not. Alcohol is toxic to our bodies, and the cost can be
irreversible when intake exceeds recommended levels. The damage is not limited
to alcoholics, so everyone who consumes alcohol needs to pay attention to how
much they are drinking, what they are drinking, and when they are doing so.
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Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2011
