Alcohol and your health: make your happy hour a healthy one

A cold beer on a hot afternoon, a glass of wine with dinner, a brandy or liqueur to cap off the evening... alcohol is one of life's pleasures for many people. However, too much of a good thing can have negative consequences. Worldwide, the number of people who drink alcohol is decreasing, but of the people who choose to drink, the amount consumed per person is on the rise. Excessive drinking is associated with several health issues, including liver disease, damage to the pancreas, neurological problems and cancer, to name a few. We have compiled the latest research on alcohol consumption, including risks and benefits, to help make your ‘happy hours’ healthier ones.


Get the latest content first. Sign up for free weekly email alerts.
Subscribe
Author Details

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.