• If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation — up to 1 drink a day for women, up to 2 drinks for men
• What counts 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)
• It is not recommended that anyone begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of health considerations. Among younger adults alcohol consumption appears to provide little, if any, health benefit, and alcohol use among young adults is associated with a higher risk of traumatic injury and death.
• Consuming more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men increases the risk for:
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Suicide
  • Some types of cancer
  • Violence
• Even moderate drinking during pregnancy may have behavioral or developmental consequences for the baby. Heavy drinking during pregnancy can produce a range of behavioral and psychosocial problems, malformation, and mental retardation in the baby.