Drinking moderately can be part of a balanced lifestyle for most adults. But what does moderate drinking mean? It means avoiding excess in your drinking to minimize the risk of harming your health and injuring yourself or other people around you. It means knowing your limits and those recommended by health experts. If you have any questions or concerns about your drinking and how it can affect you, consulting a health expert is always the best approach.
Here are some practical considerations to help you make decisions about your drinking to keep your risk of harm low. Inform yourself about drinking and its effects.
- The US Dietary Guidelines offer general parameters for drinking for men and women. This is a good place to start.
- Guidance is often given in terms of standard drinks or units. Familiarize yourself with these and what they mean in practical terms – what is a standard drink of beer, wine, and spirits? This can help you keep track of how much you are drinking and help you stay within recommended limits.