The Science of Aging Well: How Your Beliefs Affect Your Health
Yet a few months ago, I wondered what would happen if I stopped for a few days, maybe longer. Would it change anything? I’m in good health, physically active, and the amount I drink is well within the CDC guidelines. But, if I skipped beer for a few days, would I feel better, sleep differently, be more alert or active? Maybe I’d be nicer or more irritable?
When I started this post, I was only interested in what might happen by not drinking for a few days. Questions about alcohol dependency and health issues didn’t concern me. But now they do. And not to keep you in suspense: my daily beer is over. Sort of.
Beer – Like It or Need It?
The first evening that I had ice water with dinner, I told my wife about my beer-less experiment and she broke into a smile. We talked about it. Would she see some change in me too? Did beer change my interactions with her? It became increasingly clear that as much as I said I just “liked” beer, I really “wanted” a beer. But, how could that be? If I drank just one beer a day, where was the problem?
Enter the Light Drinker
If you enjoy an average of one-drink-a-day, you’re considered a ‘light drinker’ and you’re not alone. A large segment of the U.S. population fits that description. But does being a light drinker – someone who likes to relax with a beer or glass of wine each day – mean you’re an alcoholic? The answer is not necessarily. It depends on genetics and behavior. But there’s a larger question: is it harmful?
Bye Bye Health Benefits
Part of my infatuation with beer was encouraged by years of research that suggested moderate alcohol consumption has protective health benefits. That’s old news. Recent studies show this may not be true. Consuming one or two drinks no more than four days a week appears to protect against cardiovascular disease. But a single drink every day, eliminates those heart-healthy benefits. What’s increasingly clear and worrisome is that daily consumption – even when light – increases a person’s risk of cancer.
Hello – Three Drinks A Week
Is any amount of alcohol safe for a moderate drinker? According to the National Institutes of Health, a very small amount might be. In 2018 a large study funded by the NHIS concluded that drinking no more than 3 times a week appears to be the minimum risk for serious health issues. The bottom line: drinking daily, even at low levels, is unhealthy.
No Beer, No Fear
After several days of not having alcohol, my sleep was unchanged, I wasn’t anxious, I felt fine. I was physically okay. I allowed myself a beer or glass of wine a day or two at the most to avoid feeling strident about my experiment. And within a few weeks, I arrived at a place where I didn’t miss an evening beer. My wife might say I’m a little nicer, more attentive in the evening, but I doubt that I’m a poster for “exciting new guy!”.
Life After A Beer A Day
Yes, life is good after a daily beer. It’s better actually. I see it in small things. Not feeling sleepy at the end of dinner. Sleeping longer stretches at night. Feeling slightly more energetic.
I’ll still have a glass of wine or a beer with friends. But, otherwise, I don’t think about having a beer. I’ve also discovered a new era of non-alcoholic (NA) beers which are amazingly good. The days of flavorless, dull NA beverages are disappearing as new, hops-based NA beers are coming onto the market. Wherever you live, there’s a good chance your local craft brewery now offers some or will soon.
If you want to drink something that tastes like good beer, you’ve got great options with the alcohol. And if you want the real thing, you can enjoy that in moderation too. Especially, if you savor your beer or other drink no more than three times a week.
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