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You become intoxicated from drinking too much alcohol, because alcohol is a toxic substance. Heavy consumption of alcohol has been directly linked to cancers of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. Indirectly, by damaging liver tissue, it can induce cancer of the liver. The cancer-incuding effect of alcohol is considerably enhanced in smokers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alcohol also washes out water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and increases the consumption of zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Thus, excessive consumption of alcohol will weaken your immune system. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Should everybody stop drinking alcoholic beverages at once? No, the effect of alcohol is dose dependent. A small amount of aclohol can even be beneficial to your health by helpings to digest fat and, possibly, by decreasing risk for coronary heart disease. Acoholic beverages are also part of our cultural heritage. Did you know that some vinyards in Austria date back to the time when soldiers guarding the northern border of the Roman Empire along the Danube river received wine rations as part of their pay? Cultural traditions are associated with drinking whiskey, beer, wine, and champagne. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Let's take a sober look at alcoholic beverages and find out how you can enjoy drinking alcohol without increasing your cancer risk. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Save alcohol for special occasions.
Alcoholic beverages go well with celebrations. Enjoy a drink or two but keep alcohol consumption to a moderate level. Non-alcoholic beverages are better thirst quenchers. |
Don't drink alone. When feeling
emotionally down, don't try to drown your troubles in alcohol. It doesn't
really help, and might grow into a dangerous habit. Instead, listen to your
favorite music, take a walk or talk to a friend. Try to change your
thinking pattern: "Now I need a |
Don't drink regularly. You might
not notice that your body gets used to the beer with every meal or the
daily drink after work. Remember, it is possible to become addicted to
acohol without ever being intoxicated. |
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| Men should not have more than 2 drinks per day, women should not have more than 1 drink per day (the break-down rate of alcohol depends on body weight). Generally, your alcohol consumption should not exceed 1-2 ounces (12-24 g) daily. If you smoke or are exposed to other cancer risks (e.g., high fat intake), drink less. However, a few drinks spread over a week, not in one sitting, can be considered harmless. |  |
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There is nothing wrong with an occasional glass of
wine when meeting a good friend. But never persuade your friends or business
partners to drink alcohol. Everybody, including you, can be have a good time without
drinking alcohol. |
What counts as one drink?
12 ounces (0.3 L) of beer
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