Alcohol is the intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. It is made by fermenting of yeast, sugars, or starches. Occasional drinking of alcohol is extremely common in the United States.

For most people, moderate drinking is safe and may even have health benefits for the heart. Drinking in moderation is generally defined as no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. This definition refers to the amount consumed on a single day only and should not be used to average the number of drinks over a few days.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is quickly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream and broken down in the liver by enzymes. Since the liver can metabolize only a small amount of alcohol at a time, the excess alcohol circulates throughout the body. The more alcohol you drink, the more intoxicated you become.

There is no doubt that too much drinking is bad for you. Alcohol use slows reaction time and weakens your judgment and coordination, which is why you should never drink alcohol and drive. Binge drinking, or having five or more drinks at a time, increases your risk of accidents and assaults. Heavy drinking over years can lead to liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and pancreatitis. Drinking alcohol affects every organ in your body.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. Some people should never drink, such as alcoholics, children, pregnant women, people taking certain medications, and people with certain medical conditions.
  2. A standard drink in the United States is equal to 0.6 ounce (13.7 grams) of pure alcohol, 12 ounces of beer, 8 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor, such as gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey.
  3. The legal limit for blood alcohol content while operating a motor vehicle in the United States is 0.08 percent (80 milligrams per deciliter) for drivers who are at least 21 years of age. Drivers under 21 are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle with any amount of alcohol in their systems.