Just one drink (or two) a night… to “wind down”… if this is something you often rationalise to yourself, it may not be as harmless as you’d like to believe.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), even minimal alcohol consumption is toxic and linked to cancer and damage to vital organs like the liver, pancreas, and heart. South Africans have a big drinking culture. Statistics show that about one-third of adults drink, with most consuming an average of five drinks daily. Plus, binge drinking is high. Over 80% of male drinkers aged 15–34 report five or more drinks in a single session.
So, what’s the harm?
It is the alcohol that causes harm, not the beverage. – The World Health Organization
Research suggests that even two drinks a day has clear health consequences, especially for organ damage and cancer risk. For young adults, binge-drinking can negatively impact developing brains and increase lifelong mental health risks. Plus, every extra bit of alcohol in your blood doubles the chance of injury or violence, which is a big worry for public safety and costs everyone.
It’s important to recognise that so-called casual drinking carries health, safety, and emotional risks. Consider cutting back to fewer than two standard drinks a day, or better yet, try alcohol-free days each week.
Image: Vecteezy
