Frequently Asked Questions
Are some forms of beverage alcohol ‘safer’ than others?
Alcohol is alcohol. When it comes to potential benefits and risks of alcohol, the health effects are the same for spirits, wine and beer. The scientific research for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans found that moderate alcohol consumption is linked with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality (meaning, people who drink in moderation tend to live as long or longer than those who do not drink at all). Research also has shown moderate drinking increases risk for certain health outcomes, such as breast cancer.
No one should start drinking for potential health benefits, and some individuals should not drink at all. Alcohol abuse can cause serious health and other problems. Individuals should discuss their alcohol with their health providers who can determine what is best for them based on individual risk factors, such as family history, genetics, and lifestyle.
Use the Calculator to find out! Additional tools on responsible consumption can be found at https://www.responsibility.org/drink-responsibly/.
Is it true that distilled spirits are ‘harder’ than beer or wine?
No. When it comes to alcohol, there is no beverage of moderation, only the practice of moderation. The standard drink equivalents of distilled spirits, beer and wine contain the same amount of alcohol. A distilled spirits beverage could contain more or less alcohol than a beer or wine beverage. A critical aspect of responsible consumption is understanding the definition of a standard drink and how much alcohol is in each beverage consumed.
When consuming any type of alcohol, it is important to know how much alcohol is in a drink. Use the Calculator to find out! Additional tools on responsible consumption can be found at https://www.responsibility.org/drink-responsibly/.
Aren’t canned cocktails ‘stronger’ than wine spritzers and other sparkling malt beverages?
Not necessarily. Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages can be spirits-, wine-, malt-, or sugar-based, and they vary in ‘strength’ (or alcohol by volume) considerably. Can sizes vary, too. That’s why knowing how to calculate standard drinks is so important. For example, a 12oz malt-based RTD with 5% ABV, a 12oz spirits-based RTD with 5% ABV, and a 12oz beer with 5% ABV each equate to one standard drink equivalent and have the exact same alcohol content.
Use the Calculator to find out how much alcohol is in the can or container! Additional tools on responsible consumption can be found at https://www.responsibility.org/drink-responsibly/.
Some places only sell certain types of beverages. Is there a reason why types of alcohol are treated differently?
There is no scientific, public safety, or public policy basis to differentiate between distilled spirits, wine, and beer – especially when some products, such as ready-to-drink beverages, may have the exact same alcohol by volume. Treating beverage types differently sends the dangerous message that some forms of alcohol are ‘safer’ than others.
Why are the Dietary Guidelines different for males and females?
Most people think the difference is solely based upon body weight, but this is only one factor. Females have less water in their bodies. Therefore, if a female and a male of the same size and weight drink the same amount of alcohol, a female is likely to reach a higher blood alcohol content (BAC). Estimate your BAC at https://www.responsibility.org/bac-calculator/
Are there individuals who should not drink alcohol?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans some individuals should not drink beverage alcohol, including pregnant women, people who are recovering from alcohol use disorder or are unable to control the amount they drink, and people taking medications or with medical conditions that can interact with alcohol. For those with a family history of alcoholism, be mindful of alcohol consumption and associated addictive behavior.