Alcohol and Your Health
Alcohol (in beverages) - is produced by the fermentation process of yeast, using ingredient such as fruit, barley and rye.
According to the World Health Organization:
- Worldwide, the harmful use of alcohol resulted in some 3 million deaths, representing 5.3 % of all deaths, in 2016.
- Alcohol use is an important causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions.
- Overall 5.1 % of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disability- adjusted life years (DALYs).
- There is a causal relationship between alcohol use and a range of mental and behavioural disorders, other non-communicable diseases as well as injuries.
- Causal relationships have been established between alcohol use and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis as well as HIV/AIDS.
- Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings significant social and economic losses to individuals and society at large.
Drinking alcoholic beverages has both immediate and long-term effects on your health. Your drinking behaviours determine the health effect of alcohol. They are:
- Drinking pattern
Frequent or occasional heavy drinking over a short period of time increases your immediate risk of suffering from injuries and health problems. - Cumulated amount of alcohol drunk over time
Every single drink of alcoholic beverage in your lifetime adds up in affecting your health in long-term.
So if you do not drink at all, do not start drinking.
If you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, limit your drink to minimise alcohol-related harm.