What are the hazards of alcohol? What are the benefits?

A. Several hazards are associated with drinking.
1. Heavy drinking is harmful to the liver.
2. Prolonged heavy drinking can result in neurological damage called Korsakoff syndrome.
3. A slight increase in risk for cancer is associated with drinking, but the risk is greater when drinking is combined with smoking.
4. Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs when pregnant women drink heavily, and even light drinking may affect a developing fetus.
5. Alcohol affects decision making and coordination, making risky behavior and unintentional injuries of all types more likely.
6. Alcohol increases aggression in some people, and drinking is associated with homicide and suicide.
B. Drinking is also associated with several health benefits.
1. Light to moderate drinking is beneficial; heavy drinking and binge drinking are not.
2. Light to moderate drinkers have lower levels of mortality, and cardiovascular benefits are the main reason.
3. Light to moderate drinking lowers the risk for Type 2 diabetes, gallstones, ulcers, and Alzheimer's disease.
4. Light to moderate drinkers also have decreased rates of hospitalization and illness as well as higher levels of health when compared to nondrinkers or heavy drinkers.