If you drink alcoholic beverages

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
	Alcohol affects all areas of the body. Most people now understand the severity of drinking too much and driving. However, few understand the effects that alcohol has on nutrition and health. The body can metabolize ½ ounce of alcohol per hour. That is equivalent to 1 drink each hour.
How many drinks is considered "moderation" and how many is considered excessive?		Am I drinking in moderation if I skip alcohol during the week but drink heavy on weekends?
	Is it true that drinking wine can help prevent heart disease?

Heavy consumption of alcohol can deplete the body of B vitamins. These vitamins perform many critical functions in the body. Alcohol makes it difficult for the body to process vitamin D, which helps strengthen bone and vitamin A, which is critical to good vision.
Below is a list of diseases and health problems associated with chronic heavy drinking and alcohol abuse:

Effects of Alcohol Abuse:	Disease or Health Problem
Inflamed joints	Arthritis
Increased risk of liver, pancreatic, rectal, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophageal cancers	Cancer
Physical and mental abnormalities in newborns	Fetal alcohol syndrome
Increased blood pressure, blood lipids, risk of stroke and heart disease	Cardiovascular disease
Increased blood glucose	Hyperglycemia
Lowers blood glucose in diabetics	Hypoglycemia
Enlarges kidneys, alters hormonal function	Kidney disease
Causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis	Liver disease
Lowers intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, B₆, thiamin, and riboflavin. Impairs absorption of calcium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin D	Malnutrition
Results in neuropathy, dementia, damages balance and memory	Nervous disorders
Increases caloric intake	Obesity
Causes anxiety, depression and insomnia	Psychological disturbances

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.