The Downside of Drinking 

In addition to the immediate risks associated with alcohol use―loss of coordination, hangovers―there are other negatives. Here is a look at the most common risks.

Can Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer

The perils of excessive drinking, specifically alcoholism and its attendant health issues, are well documented. Medium to heavy consumption has additional drawbacks. Research presented at the 2007 European Cancer Conference indicates that having three or more drinks a day may increase your risk of breast cancer by 30 percent. This news isn’t as dramatic as it first seems. A typical woman in her 50s already has about a 3 percent risk of the disease, so a 30 percent jump would bump her risk to nearly 4 percent. But most experts agree that this is reason enough to cut back. 

 

Alcohol Can Stress Your Skin

The ethanol in alcohol dilates blood vessels, says David Colbert, a dermatologist in New York City. “Initially you might flush a bit during a night out,” he says. “But over time too much drinking can stretch the capillaries, sometimes to the point where they expand, giving your face a permanent red hue.”