What is an alcohol beverage?
An alcohol beverage is simply any drink that contains ethanol/ ethyl alcohol. Beer, wine, and spirits all start with a process called fermentation, which is the natural result of yeast digestion of the sugars found in ingredients like fruit, cereal grains, or other starches. Fermentation results in two substances: ethanol and carbon dioxide. Ethanol is the alcohol people drink, but there are other types of alcohol that may be harmful or even fatal to drink.
Responsible drinking.
If you drink alcohol, health care providers advise limiting how much you drink. This is called drinking in moderation, or responsible drinking.
Responsible drinking means more than just limiting yourself to a certain number of drinks. It also means not getting drunk and not letting alcohol control your life or your relationships.
How to drink responsibly.
The tips in this article are for people who:
- DO NOT have a drinking problem, now or in the past
- Are old enough to drink legally(18+)
- Are not pregnant.
Healthy men, up to age 65, should limit themselves to:
- No more than 4 drinks a day
- No more than 14 drinks a week
Healthy women of all ages and healthy men over age 65 should limit themselves to:
- No more than 3 drinks a day
- No more than 7 drinks a week
Other habits that will help you be a responsible drinker include:
- Never drinking alcohol and driving.
- Having a designated driver if you are going to drink. This means riding with someone in your group who has not been drinking, or taking a taxi or bus.
- Not drinking on an empty stomach. Have a snack or meal before you drink and while you are drinking.
If you take any medicines, including ones you bought without a prescription, check with your doctor before you drink. Alcohol can affect the way your body uses some drugs. A drug may not work correctly, or it could be dangerous or make you sick if combined with alcohol.
If alcohol use runs in your family, you may be at a higher risk of having an alcohol problem yourself. Not drinking at all might be best for you.
