To drink or not to drink is often the question. Whether on the heart, the liver or overall health, alcohol certainly has an effect—and one that women feel differently than men. Here’s what it does to the body.

Heart-Healthy Debate
Alcohol’s impact on the heart is questionable. Red wine is frequently thought of as healthy for the heart—the antioxidant resveratrol, present in grapes and red wine, has been associated with decreased oxidative stress and inflammation. However, this does not mean that long-term alcohol use has the same benefits. Rather, alcohol is known to be one of the leading causes of heart disease.

Damage to the Liver
Next stop: the liver. Women process alcohol more slowly due to a key stomach enzyme that neutralizes alcohol. Because women have less of it than men, their rate of metabolizing alcohol is different. At the same time, alcohol mostly occupies body water. Women will feel the negative effects of alcohol more quickly and with fewer drinks due to their bodies carrying less water than men.

Risk for Cancer
Even though some research points to a correlation between resveratrol and a reduced risk for some cancer types, there is no evidence red wine increases protection against cancer.

If you want to continue receiving a boost in resveratrol but don’t want the added risks of drinking, seek out high-antioxidant foods like grapes, berries and peanuts for healthy alternatives.

The Bottom Line
Aside from increased risk for heart and liver disease and various cancers, heavy alcohol consumption is also associated with alcohol use disorder and cognitive decline. For this reason, it’s recommended that women who want to drink strive for moderation. To put it simply: limit yourself to one drink a day.

Help Is Here
If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder, help is available in Bartholomew County. Visit the Healthy Communities page and click on Mental Health & Substance Abuse to find resources near you.