Beer, wine and spirits all contain some alcohol, and each will have an impact on your physical and mental well-being.

Alcohol provides negligible amounts of vitamins and minerals, but it can replace nutrient-rich food and directly interfere with the body's absorption, storage, and use of nutrients. 

Alcohol provides a large number of kilojoules in a small volume which can cause problems for those who are trying to control their weight. It can also stimulate food intake and feelings of hunger.

There are some perceived health benefits of individual alcoholic beverages, but these have been hotly debated. Beer drinkers point out that there are more vitamins in beer, whereas wine drinkers say there are many health advantages to be gained from drinking wine.

However, despite the many claims and counterclaims, moderation remains the most important factor. It’s certain that excessive intakes of beer, wine or spirits will detrimentally affect your health.

What is ‘moderate’ drinking? One definition says that moderate drinking is the level of drinking that poses a low risk of alcohol-related problems, both for the drinker and for others.

Alcohol has different effects on different individuals depending on their age, size, sex and health. It also relates to when and how you consume alcohol.

The Australian Government says that, for healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.

It also says that, for healthy men and women, drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.

A ‘standard drink’ is defined as: one 375ml mid-strength (3.5% Alc. Vol) Beer, one 30ml high strength (40% Alc. Vol.) nip of Spirits, or one 100ml standard serve (11.5% Alc. Vol.) of White Wine.

Nobody should feel pressured to drink. However, authorities agree that if you’re healthy and do drink in moderation, there’s no need to worry about the effects of the alcohol you consume.

To control the amount of alcohol you consume at any time, alternate a glass of water with each alcoholic drink you imbibe.

It’s also a good idea to have something to eat while you’re drinking; a healthy snack like a piece of fruit or some vegetable sticks with yogurt dip make a good accompaniment to an alcoholic beverage.

For those trying to control weight, remember that alcohol is high in calories, so regardless of what type you consume, a heavy intake will contribute directly to weight gain and obesity.