The Over-Consumption of Alcohol Can Lead to Health Problems
Often times we hear that too much of anything is a bad thing. This especially goes for drinking alcohol. There are limits our bodies have placed on ourselves for good reasons, and let’s face it, a lot of people drink too much. There is a lot of hidden risk in alcohol, and to not take it into consideration can lead us to future health problems.
Deaths from Over-Consumption
According to the World Health Organization around the world, people 15 years and older consume an average of 13.5 grams of pure alcohol per day. Heavy drinkers alone help fuel the alcohol industry with a market share of somewhere around 65%. According to niaaa.nih.gov, an annual 88,000 people die each year from over-consumption of alcohol. Without mentioning the multiple ways alcohol can lead to death, such as cancer or car crashes, over-drinking can be the root cause. One of the problems with misuse is the fact we don’t usually know what an average drink is and tend to drink more than what we think.
Drinking Standards
A normal drink in the US only contains .6 ounces of alcohol. That alcohol is spread throughout all the different types of drinks available:
- 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
- 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor.
Other factors come into play in determining how much you should drink, such as your height and weight! How much you’ve eaten, how much sleep you’ve had, and even how much water you’ve consumed all play big roles in determining how much alcohol is too much, not to mention your tolerance.
Prevention Methods
Anytime you drink you should try to keep these things in mind as you decide what to consume and how much. Know your limit while drinking. If you’re a lightweight, it’s okay to consume less alcohol. While drinking, try not to drink too quickly, which gets you drunk faster and can easily set you over. It’s okay to turn down a drink if you’re friend offers and you have had your limit; its okay to politely say no. Also, avoid mixing different liquors, which can churn your stomach and cause you to throw up. Over-drinking also occurs during birthdays, celebrations, and holidays so it’s important to stay awake during those times. By being mindful, we can help prevent deaths and potential risk associated with over-drinking.
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