Unfairly, women suffer much faster and much more from alcohol related illnesses and diseases than men.
So the question begs... How much is too much?
We spoke to a couple of experts to get the truth behind some booze myths.
How many glasses of wine can a woman safely drink in one week?
Researchers recommend no more than two standard units of alcohol per day for women, with at least two alcohol-free days per week. In other words, a woman should drink no more than 10 glasses of wine a week, spread over several days. A standard unit is defined as a 120ml glass of wine.
What's healthier? Wine, beer or spirits?
Wine is the better option.
Does alcohol have any benefits?
Yes, a low amount of alcohol may protect against heart disease in older people (men over the age of 35 and postmenopausal women), but the same benefits can be achieved by giving up smoking, eating a balanced, low-fat diet and taking aspirin.
It seems the older you get, the less you can handle your drink. Why is this?
As a woman gets older, her metabolism slows down, but she absorbs alcohol faster. In other words, she gets drunker, quicker.
A glass of wine after work relaxes me. Is there anything wrong with that?
Having a glass of wine after work is fine, but it might be an indication of a problem if a woman showed a strong dependence on alcohol and wasn't able to function without it.
Men seem to be able to drink more than women. Why?
Yes, it's true. Women get drunker quicker than men, even when they drink the same amount in relation to body weight. There are three possible reasons for this:
- Men's bodies contain more water than women. Alcohol gets consumed into the body water, and because women have less water in their bodies, they have a higher concentration of alcohol in their blood than men, after drinking the same amount.
- Both sexes have an enzyme involved in the metabolism of alcohol, but it is less active in women than men.
- Scientists are researching the belief that women's fluctuating hormone levels may affect the rate of metabolism of alcohol.
In another sexist twist, research has shown that most men have to drink heavily for 15-20 years to get cirrhosis, but some women get it after only 2 or 3 drinks a day for 5 - 10 years. And when women get cirrhosis, it's more likely to be fatal. Other long-term risks are brain and heart damage, and infertility.
So what we're saying is - have your glass of wine after a stressful day. What the hell, have two. But don't have 2 or 3 every night. Try to balance it out with a relaxing walk every now and then, or curl up on the couch with a glossy magazine or an old favourite DVD.
Listen to your body and be kind to it. There will still be many things to celebrate...
Do you have a problem with alcohol? Take this quiz if you're not sure.
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