The Dietary guidelines recommends that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system and probably protects against type 2 diabetes.

There are people who should not take alcohol at all, they include people:

• Younger than age 21.
• Pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Driving, planning to drive or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.
• Taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol.
• Suffering from certain medical conditions.
• Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink

There are different health risk attached to people who drink, this can be short term or long term risk. The short term risk include:

• Injuries such as falls, drownings and burns.
• Violence including homicide, suicide, sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
• Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
• Risky sexual behaviors including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
• Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women.

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems. These are long term risks, they include:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.
• Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
• Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment.
• Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.

By not drinking too much, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks.