DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS
If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation, with meals, and when 
consumption does not put you or others at risk.
WHAT IS MODERATION?
WomenNo more than one drink per day MenNo more than two drinks per 
            day 
    
    COUNT AS A DRINK ...
12 ounces of regular beer
            (150 calories) 5 ounces of wine
            (100 calories) 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits
            (100 calories) 
    
    Alcoholic beverages supply calories but few or no nutrients. The alcohol in 
these beverages has effects that are harmful when consumed in excess. These 
effects of alcohol may alter judgement and can lead to dependency and a great 
many other serious health problems. Alcoholic beverages have been used to 
enhance the enjoyment of meals by many societies throughout human history. If 
adults choose to drink alcoholic beverages, they should consume them only in 
moderation. 



Some people should not drink alcoholic beverages at all, including:

            Women who are trying to conceive or who are pregnant. Major birth 
            defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome, have been attributed to 
            heavy drinking by the mother while pregnant. While there is no 
            conclusive evidence that an occasional drink is harmful to the fetus 
            or to the pregnant woman, a safe level of alcohol intake during 
            pregnancy has not been established.
    
            Individuals who plan to drive or take part in activities that 
            require attention or skill. Most people retain some alcohol in the 
            blood up to 2-3 hours after a single drink.
    
            Individuals using prescription and over-the-counter medications. 
            Alcohol may alter the effectiveness or toxicity of medicines. Also, 
            some medications may increase blood alcohol levels or increase the 
            adverse effect of alcohol on the brain.
    
            Individuals of any age who cannot restrict their drinking to 
            moderate levels. There is a special concern for recovering 
            alcoholics and people whose family members have alcohol problems.
    Children and adolescents.
    
    Current evidence suggests that moderate drinking is associated with a lower risk 
for coronary heart disease in some individuals. However, higher levels of 
alcohol intake raise the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, 
certain cancers, accidents, violence, suicides, birth defects, and overall 
mortality (deaths). Too much alcohol may cause cirrhosis of the liver, 
inflammation of the pancreas, and damage to the brain and heart. Heavy drinkers 
also are at risk of malnutrition because alcohol contains calories that may 
substitute for those in more nutritious foods. 
(from Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Fourth 
Edition, 1995, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Health and Human 
Services, p. 40). 
Government Warning Label on Alcoholic Beverage Containers
    
    American Cancer Society Guidelines on Alcohol Consumption 
    
    American Heart Association Guidelines on Alcohol Consumption