Dr. Wy, why shouldn’t I drink alcohol during the holidays? It’s fun!

Ask Dr. Wy…

Richard Wyderski, MD, FACP

Dr. Wy, why shouldn’t I drink alcohol during the holidays? It’s fun!

Many people enhance their holiday spirit by enjoying holiday spirits with friends and family. But as they say, too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing!

How much is too much? First, let’s define what ONE drink is. Hint: it’s not a 40-ounce hard seltzer. “One” drink depends upon what you’re drinking. A 12 ounce can of 5% beer, a 5 ounce pour of 12% wine, and a 1.5-ounce jigger of 40% spirit are all “one” drink because they have about the same amount of alcohol. Moderate drinking is two drinks per day for men (one if you’re over 65) or one per day for women since women and older men metabolize alcohol more slowly.

Moderate drinking is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but it depends upon your medications and/or medical conditions when even one drink could lead to complications. People who have intermittent atrial fibrillation can go back into the arrhythmia with even one drink. If you have balance problems, alcohol increases the risk of falls and injuries. Please talk to your doctor about whether alcohol is safe for you.

Does moderate drinking have health benefits? The best evidence doesn’t support that notion, and it’s correlated with doubling the risk of breast, colon, mouth, throat, and esophagus cancer. People over 60 have a higher risk of death. Drinking more is even worse. The healthiest option is to avoid alcohol altogether.

Only you can decide whether your favorite “adult” beverages are worth the risk. Have fun and be safe this holiday season, everyone!

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