Women and Alcohol

It’s long been known that heavy drinking affects women more severely than men. According to NIAAA:

women are at greater risk than men for developing alcohol-related problems. Alcohol passes through the digestive tract and is dispersed in the water in the body. The more water available, the more diluted the alcohol. As a rule, men weigh more than women, and, pound for pound, women have less water in their bodies than men. Therefore, a woman’s brain and other organs are exposed to more alcohol and to more of the toxic byproducts that result when the body breaks down and eliminates alcohol.

The World Health Organization did a study showing that after a certain amount of drinks women are almost twice as likely to suffer an injury. So, what is considered risky drinking for women? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that one drink a day for women is moderate. A “drink” is measured as a 12 glass of beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. According to studies, women who drink more than one drink a day are at a higher risk of getting charged with a DUI, having a bad interaction with prescription medicine, breast cancer and, if pregnant, fetal alcohol syndrome with a new born child.

I’m sure if a woman goes out and has more than one drink at times, not on a regular basis, if she’s not pregnant, and takes smart precautions to not drive, will not face dire consequences. This is not meant to scare anyone — it’s just good to know facts when it comes to healthcare issues. These studies measure the risk from regular, ongoing drinking of alcohol beverages that average more than one drink per episode.

A moderate female drinker ought to enjoy a drink as much as a male drinker, but if drinking becomes a problem, fair or not, the alcohol will affect women more severely than men. When it comes to women and alcohol, it’s another health issue that should be understood.