Alcohol is consumed by many people, it’s become so normalized that we can find this drink in parties, celebrations, and even family reunions. However, this drink can cause many health issues if you drink more than you should. So, if you want to change your habits and start drinking less alcohol, we are here to help.
According to scientists, there’s a simple method to make this possible: explain that alcohol can cause cancer and count every single drink. Let’s see what experts have to say about this drink.
Importance of reducing alcohol consumption
This drink is more than just being hungover or exhausted the next day of drinking it, it could even be related to serious diseases like:
- Cancer in different organs
- Heart problems
- Damage to the liver and digestive system
- Higher risk of dementia
- Millions of premature deaths around the world
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates alcohol is the cause of up to 7% of premature deaths in the world. That’s why doctors and experts are focusing more on looking for ways to help people drink less alcohol.
Scientific discovery
A group of researchers in Australia wanted to try different messages to see which one helped the most people to reduce alcohol consumption. They did a study with almost 8,000 people that tend to frequently drink and they were divided into groups. Scientists showed each group different messages about alcohol and its impact on health.
The result? It turned out the most effective way was to inform people about how this drink can lead to cancer and also count how many drinks you consume. Basically, when people understood alcohol was dangerous and that they only had to count how much they drink, people were able to reduce this drink consumption in a significant way in just six weeks!
Why is counting drinks useful?
I know this seems so simple, and it is, but at the same time is so powerful. Let’s find out why:
- It makes drinking visible: many people don’t realize how much alcohol they’re actually consuming.
- It helps set limits: once you see the number, it’s easier to decide when to stop.
- It motivates improvement: if someone drank 5 drinks one night, they might aim for only 3 next time.
- It gives personal control: it doesn’t depend on outside rules, just your own choices.
We can compare this situation to someone who wants to save money and starts writing down what they spend their money on, when seeing the figures, it’s much easier to change habits.
Alcohol and young people
Although the study was made with adults, it’s important that young people know alcohol risks too. Many times kids around 13, 14 or 15 years old think having a drink is fun or makes them look older. However, what they don’t know is that alcohol damages more brains in development, so drinking at early ages increases the risk of becoming dependent in the future.
That’s why the best thing to do is avoiding this drink during adolescence, and if someday they decide to drink it (when they are adults) the healthiest way to do it is to drink it in moderation. And, of course, use tricks like the one of counting how much they drink.
Let’s remember
Alcohol might seem inoffensive because we are so used to seeing it everywhere, but it’s something that can cause cancer. But don’t worry because there’s a solution to reduce alcohol consumption and it’s really simple as you have seen.
So, if you ever think about having a drink, remember this: each glass counts. The less you drink, the better for your body and your future.