Have you ever thought about your drinking patterns?  I drank some as a young adult, but went through close to twenty years when I rarely, if ever, had a drink. I was a busy working parent and also did not want to have alcohol around the home while raising our children. Clearly another huge factor was being exposed to alcoholism in my family while growing up.

I began drinking wine only while pairing it with foods I love.  Know how much you are drinking.  These different wine glasses all have 5 ounces, but the amount does not look the same at all!

There are many mixed messages regarding alcohol use.  We hear of some of the possible health benefits and risks

When it comes to alcohol, the key is moderation. If you currently don’t drink, don’t start drinking for the possible health benefits. In some cases, it’s safest to avoid alcohol entirely.

Examples of one drink include:

• Beer: 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters)
• Wine: 5 fluid ounces (148 milliliters)
• Distilled spirits (80 proof): 1.5 fluid ounces (44 milliliters)

• You’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• You’ve been diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or you have a strong family history of alcoholism
• You have liver or pancreatic disease
• You have heart failure or you’ve been told you have a weak heart
• You take prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol
• You’ve had a hemorrhagic stroke (when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures)

Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men.

• Certain cancers, including breast cancer and cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus
• Pancreatitis
• Sudden death if you already have cardiovascular disease
• Heart muscle damage (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) leading to heart failure
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• Suicide
• Accidental serious injury or death
• Brain damage and other problems in an unborn child
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

From Mayo Clinic-Healthy Lifestyle