Healthy Living

         For many of us, so much of our  social interaction is centered not just around eating but also drinking alcohol. Think about it: we have Happy Hour, NIghts out with Girls/Boys, Dinner with Friends, Wine to Unwind etc. Sure, it's necessary to cut loose and relax sometimes and yes, alcohol can be that social lubricant to make that easier. But how much of these drinks end up on your hips and what are the ripple effects of drinking alcohol? Well, it turns out it's much more than we think.           There has been an ongoing debate on the benefits of drinking wine as part of a nutritious diet. There are some who say that the resevetrol obtained from red wine consumption far outweighs an ill effects from alcohol. Others say that it is a slippery slope to encourage alcohol consumption which might lead to abuse. I say, depending on your personal or family history, the antioxidants in wine are good for you when consumed in moderation. If alcoholism is part of your genetic background then inviting regular alcohol use into your life can lead t dependency. That is true for everyone else as well. 
    So what is "moderation" when it come to drinking? Well, for women that means no more than 7 drinks per week and no more than 14 for men. A drink counts as: 12 oz of regular beer, 5 oz of wine, and 1.5 oz of distilled spirits. So in the context of the debate, a  single 5 oz glass or red wine each day is satisfactory. We all know that too much booze causes the dreaded "beer belly" but did you also know that consistent over-consumption can also lower your metabolism by 30% ?!!! Yep, THAT's why you still hang on to that boated look even if you exercise. The good news is that you can eventually rev the metabolism back up if you slow things down on the drinking front. The moral of the story is to pace yourself and know that which each extra drink comes a penalty to your health and waistline.