Many of us enjoy a drink when socializing or relaxing. But did you know that as we age, our bodies become more sensitive to the effects of alcohol? One must take more precautions when consuming alcohol as the body loses lean mass with age. This in turn means that there is less water in the body to dilute alcohol, resulting in a more impaired individual. Additionally, this can be hard on the liver. Below are a few guidelines for drinking responsibly that pose the fewest risks upon your health.
- Before drinking, always consider your age, weight, and any medical conditions you may have that would require you to lower drinking limits. Have your physician recommend an amount that is right for you.
- Always eat before drinking. It is also safest to eat while you are consuming alcohol. Food helps to absorb the alcohol leading to a less likely chance of impairment.
- Drink slowly. It’s best to have two drinks within a three hour period especially for elderly individuals.
Now, you also may be wondering, what constitutes a single “drink”? One drink means…
-12 oz. drink of beer (5% alcohol)
-12 oz. cooler/cider (5% alcohol)
-5 oz. wine (12% alcohol)
-1.5 oz. distilled alcohol such as rum, gin, rye, etc. (40% alcohol)
- For every alcoholic beverage, have one non-alcoholic drink as well.
- Some alcoholic beverages have health benefits such as red wine. Red wine in moderation is a great as it is rich in polyphenols which helps to promote a healthy heart and reduce inflammation in the body.
- Never have alcohol if you plan on driving or are taking any medications. Always check with your physician about the risks of taking your particular medications with alcohol.
Remember to set limits and stick to them when drinking. When it comes to alcohol, be gentle on your aging body!
