Straight Shot
Some of the most memorable girls nights involve lounging on the sofa while indulging in sweet treats, gossip and a cocktail (or two). No harm, no foul. But, know these sobering truths.
According to a 12-month study, opens new tab published in JAMA Psychiatry, alcohol use among Americans
When broken down into sociodemographic subgroups, researchers noted a significant increase among women, nearly 16%. The reason isn’t clear, but smaller studies have linked the increase to higher rates of depression and anxiety in women. Think about it this way: Men tend to celebrate by drinking while women tend
Here, we give you the straight up truth about four common alcohol myths.
Myth 1: Moderate drinking is good for you. Even though some research indicates a glass of red wine every day can help your heart, opens new tab, that doesn’t mean it’s a wellness product by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, overindulging on a regular basis can lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cognitive difficulties, and other serious health and social problems.
Myth 2: A shot calms your nerves. A shot of alcohol may improve your dance moves and provide some liquid courage, but it won’t help you deal with anxiety. In fact, it can make the condition worse.
Myth 3: The hair of the dog can cure a hangover. Like your mom says, “If something sounds too good to be true, it is.” Drinking more alcohol will only prolong your hangover. Take two aspirin and sleep it off.
Myth 4: A drink before bed helps you sleep. A drink before bed can actually make you lose sleep. Alcohol disrupts sleep and reduces your REM time, which is necessary for a restful night’s sleep.
This doesn’t mean you have to sip tea at your next gal pal gathering. Just be aware. And, keep these final thoughts in mind:
- Drinking in moderation means one 5-ounce glass of alcohol per day for women (two glasses/day for men).
- A 5-ounce glass of red wine has an average of 125 calories.
- If you don’t drink, don’t start.