Alcohol Risks
Published September 10th, 2007
Excessive drinking can damage your liver, pancreas and nerve cells. Studies have shown that alcohol increases a woman’s chances for breast cancer.
Health problems
People with certain health problems shouldn’t drink. These problems include:
* High triglycerides
* Pancreatitis
* Liver disease
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Depression
* Congestive heart failure
Opposition
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), moderate alcohol can reduce the chances of heart attacks in some people. However, the evidence is overwhelming that drinking may be unhealthy - even risky - for others.
The CSPI says that when people have more than two alcoholic drinks a day, they put themselves at risk for:
* high blood pressure
* stroke
* heart disease
* certain cancers
* accidents
* suicide
* delivering children with birth defects
* cirrhosis of the liver
* inflammation of the pancreas
* damage to the brain and heart
Drinking even a modest amount of alcohol carries health risks, such as:
* stroke
* birth defects
* motor vehicle accidents
* cancer
* addiction
* drug interactions
Diabetes
The American Heart Association (AHA) warns people with diabetes to be extra careful about alcohol. Any drinking should be done moderately and with a meal. Otherwise, alcohol can lower blood sugar to dangerous levels.
AHA recommendations
The AHA recommends that men have no more than two servings of alcohol per day. Women should not have more than one serving.
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