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Alcohol has been widely consumed since prehistoric times by people around the world, as a component of the standard diet, for hygienic or medical reasons, for its relaxant and euphoric effects, for recreational purposes, for artistic inspiration, as aphrodisiacs, and for other reasons. The concentration of alcohol in a drink may be specified in percent alcohol by volume (ABV), in percentage by weight, or in proof. In the USA, the 'proof' measurement corresponds in a 2:1 ratio to percent alcoholic content by volume (80 proof = 40% ABV) at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is very important not to drink on empty stomach, because it may cause a quicker intoxication. While drinking, eat food, especially food rich in proteins, fat and dense carbohydrates such as meat, cheese and peanuts, will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your body. Another factor that slow the absorption of alcohol, is avoiding the carbonated and warm drinks.

In order to savor the flavor and aroma of drinks don’t just gulp it, but sip it. A glass of white or red wine, a bottle of beer, and a shot of whiskey or other distilled spirits all contain equivalent amounts of alcohol and are they same to a Breathalyzer. A standard drink is:

• A 12-ounce bottle or can of regular beer (355ml)

• A 5-ounce glass of wine (145ml)

• A one and 1/2 ounce of 80 proof (44ml of 40%) distilled spirits (either straight or in a mixed drink)

A lot off scientific medical researches was made and all came to the conclusion that although alcohol contains proteins it doesn’t lead to weight gain, but reduces weight for the women how drink. Also it increases metabolic rate significantly, thus causing more calories to be burned rather than stored in the body as fat. Any alcohol beverage doesn’t contain fat and cholesterol, but the nutritional value of different alcohol beverages is different.

It is not recommended to be neither abstainer from alcohol nor abuser alcohol, but it is recommended to drink moderate. In USA a moderate drink is one standard drink per day for women and two for men. But in Australia, Italy and France a moderate drinking is consider to be from three to over four drinks per day. Generally speaking each person is different and what is moderate for one person may be excessive or insufficient for another, that’s why in some cases each individual should decide for himself/herself, his/her moderate drinking. The typical woman should generally consume 30 to 45 percent less than the average man.

In moderation, alcohol consumption has significant health benefits. These include a lower risk of heart attack, lower risk of hypertension or high blood pressure, lower risk of peripheral artery disease, lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, reduced risk of stroke, and an increase in overall longevity. Moderate drinking is favorable also in reducing or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis, kidney stones, digestive ailments, stress and depression, poor cognition and memory, Parkinson's disease, hepatitis A, pancreatic cancer, macular degeneration (a major cause of blindness), angina pectoris, duodenal ulcer, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, gallstones, liver disease and poor physical condition in elderly. In healing and preventing the cardiovascular diseases a greater impact will have if drinking moderate along with a strict diet, exercising, and losing weight, than just following the diet alone.

It is important to note however that excessive consumption of alcohol has serious detrimental effects to a person's health. Alcohol addiction can also lead to malnutrition because it can alter digestion and metabolism of most nutrients. Severe thiamine deficiency is very common due to deficiency of folate, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and selenium. Muscle cramps, nausea, appetite loss, nerve disorders and depression are some common symptoms. It can also lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures due to vitamin D deficiency (Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption). Alcohol stimulates insulin production which speeds up the glucose metabolism and can result in low blood sugar.

Alcohol affects the brain, causing slurred speech, clumsiness, slow reflexes, and a loss of inhibition. The consumption of alcohol does not kill brain cells but rather damages dendrites, the branched ends of nerve cells that bring messages into the cell.

Alcohol dilates the channels in the cellular structure that regulates the flow of calcium, causing more calcium than normal to flow into the cells and stimulating increased activity. This does not kill the whole cell, but causes a loss of the end segments, leading to the loss of incoming signals and therefore a change in brain function.

Most of this damage is temporary, but the recovery process changes nerve-cell structure permanently.