Our essential diet includes carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins,
minerals, and water. An essential diet means if you take out one or more of
those six things from your diet that it would cause problems to your health.
Alcohol is not in this list of essential nutrients, but there are arguments
that state it has its benefits. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “Moderate drinking seems
to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against
type 2 diabetes and gallstones.” With the positives, come the negatives.
Alcohol causes many motor vehicle deaths, damaged liver and heart, harm to
unborn children, increased chances for cancer, and violence. The key is to
understand the right amounts.
What are the right amounts and what should you drink? Men
can have one to two drinks per day, while woman should have only one drink per
day. According to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, “In the U.S., one drink is usually considered to be 12 ounces
of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of spirits (hard liquor such as gin or
whiskey).” There are some studies that suggest that red wine is the best thing
to drink, especially with a meal. Red wine has been known to protect against
heart disease, prevent blood clots, and prevent oxidation of low-density
lipoprotein (bad cholesterol). Studies have shown that men who dank the
moderate amount everyday have lower heart attach risk than those who drank once
or twice a week. Moderate drinking is the key, not over-consumption.
Another important part of drinking is to know your limits.
Do not over drink because it can cause so many health problems. Do not drink
away problems because they will just be there the next day. Know your family
history because genes play a role. Just because you can drink everyday, doesn’t
mean you should. Carefully weigh the benefits with the risks. If you don’t
drink already, DON’T START! The best way to know what is right for you is to
sit down with your doctor and talk about the pros and cons.
It is important to note that the same benefits can be achieved from exercising. Think about what you are putting in your body after drinking all of those calories at a party. That Taco Bell, pizza, McDonalds, etc. is even more terrible calories being added to your body after that party. None of these supply the nutrients the body needs. They do not fit into the categories of essential nutrients because you have already surpassed you calorie intake for the day by over consuming alcohol. Most do not realize that in only a few drinks you will drink the amount of calories you need in one day, and alcohol does not provide any essential nutrients. One drink of the correct amount is okay. Amounts consumed at a party is not okay and is terrible for your health. No amount of exercise the next day will reverse the harm you have done. Make smart decisions, your body will thank you later!
There is no real way to scare a college student out of
drinking. If they want to do it, they will find a way. So, instead of telling
you the same information you have repetitively been told, I have offered a
different look. Remember, alcohol is never good in huge amounts. I HIGHLY
suggest drinking water or a fruit juice like grape juice, exercising daily and avoiding alcohol. But.. If
it is a must remember these facts and think twice about the consequences and
risks that could be faced later in life. It might be all fun and games now, but
in 20 years you might be thinking other wise. Lastly, remember, alcohol is NOT
an essential nutrition needed in our diet. Like I said in my last post it is
mostly added calories, which lead to extra fat and the gaining of the freshman
15. I hope this makes you think twice about how often you or your friend(s)
drink.
Exercise and a healthy diet will always be a better, smarter decision!
Note: If you think
someone has an addiction to alcohol it is important to get help.
References:
Alcohol and Nutrition: Learn About Benefits and Risks. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_nutrition/article.htm
Alcohol and Nutrition: Learn About Benefits and Risks. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_nutrition/article.htm
Alcohol: Balancing Risks and Benefits. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol-full-story/
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/default.htm
Thank you for your post! I enjoyed this post because it relates to college students very well because of the alcohol aspect and how prevalent it is within college students. I think this was a very informative post, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Because alcohol is so popular and easily accessed in college it is no important to know about it so thank you for informing us. I'm glad that you noted it is not completely bad for you in certain amounts. This was very informative and I appreciate it. I learned in one of my classes that after a long day of physical activity it can actually be beneficial to drink some beer because it has the sodium and electrolytes you need to be put back in your body! Good job.
ReplyDeleteTaylor I like the theme you have made for your background, very appropriate with the topic of nutrition. It is very true once young adults begin drinking we end up making poor food choices like fast food and in taking more calories than planned. The note your provided shows that you care about fellow classmates and others, I appreciate that. Fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteI liked the picture of Homer Simpson, and your background. You're absolutely right, my whole life I've been told that drinking is the worst thing someone can possibly do. At first I listened, but somehow alcohol found it's way into my life. I like how you included other activities to do instead of drinking, and the benefits alcohol can also have on a person when the right amount is consumed. Exercise can give someone a high, but it's a good high (lol). I heard that beer is really fattening. A large cup of beer can equal up to seven pieces of bread. That's a lot of carbs.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your information. I personally do not drink, but for those who do, I feel that this post has provided them with a great new outlook on alcohol consumption. I believe that college students could definitely benefit from this post. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!!!!!!!! I love it. There's alot of good information from this post. I would suggest others to read this. Good background as well. Good job! Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI love reading stuff like this because we so many students don't care and men and women choose to drink the same amount. I learned about this at the Health Fair and it amazes me that students are so bad at doing the right thing while drinking. We really are messing out bodies up.
ReplyDeleteI love this kind of information especially being a college student who drinks. This gives people a new outlook on drinking and why they should watch how much they consume.
ReplyDelete