Christine Palumbo

Speaker | Writer | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

  • Home
  • Meet Christine
  • Services
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact

April 30, 2021

Cheers: Time to Rethink Your Drinking? Part I

Wine glass Karolina Grabowska on FoodiesFeed

The concept of “drinking is okay in moderation, even good-for-you” has long been the mantra for many of us. But is it? And what is considered moderation?

Has your drinking increased during the pandemic? If so, you’re not alone. A nationwide survey commissioned by the American Psychological Association in February found that one in four adults reported drinking more this past year to manage their stress.

Yet, prior to the pandemic, there was a rise in Americans’ drinking. Alcohol consumption increased about 8% over the last 20 years, according to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (N.I.A.A.A.), part of the federal National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.).

While both genders are imbibing more, women who reported binge drinking – consuming about four or more drinks in about two hours – increased by 23 percent.

The downsides of alcohol

  • It increases inflammation and blood pressure and may alter gene expression, leading to various types of cancer.
  • In high amounts over many years, drinking can damage your liver, blood vessels and heart.
  • While you may fall asleep faster after drinking, alcohol interrupts your sleep and you will often wake up feeling sluggish.
  • Drinking alcohol adds empty calories to your diet and may contribute to weight gain.
  • Pregnant women (and women who are trying to get pregnant) who drink could cause their babies to have fetal alcohol syndrome.

Women and alcohol

Women process alcohol differently than men. Even one drink affects women more rapidly and more severely.

There are two reasons why:

  1. Women lack a particular enzyme in their stomach, so alcohol isn’t metabolized there before getting into the bloodstream.
  2. Women typically have less water per pound of body weight than men. When they consume alcohol and it disperses in the body’s water, the ratio of alcohol to water is higher, increasing the toxic effects on women’s organs.

Does a daily cocktail or beer protect against heart attack and stroke?

Photo by Olga Kononenko on Unsplash

In 2014, a 10-year international, randomized clinical trial began that hoped to answer that question. It was led by the N.I.A.A.A., and was to examine the effects of alcohol on adults aged 50 and old who were at high risk for heart disease. But in 2018 the study was stopped for a variety of reasons, including that the N.I.H. had lobbied beer and liquor companies for funding and other possible industry influence on the research agenda.

The American Heart Association states that “no research has established a cause-and-effect link between drinking alcohol and better heart health.”

Also, research that associates moderate drinking with less cardiovascular disease often includes people who eat a Mediterranean diet, so the health effects may come from the foods eaten, not the alcohol.

Alcohol and cancer

Photo by Angiola Harry on Unsplash

Even moderate alcohol consumption may increase your risk for cancer. I’ll bet you didn’t know that. If not, you’re not alone. A 2017 study by the American Society for Clinical Oncology found that fewer than a third of those surveyed recognized alcohol as a risk factor for cancer.

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of six types of cancer. Four of them are more common in men than in women – esophageal, stomach, live and head and neck. One drink a day can increase breast cancer risk in women who are post-menopausal or have a family history of the disease.

How much is considered risky and how much is reasonable consumption? And where did alcohol’s “health halo” come from? Part II will cover that.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to my blog!


Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND


You’ll find anything from seasonal nutrition advice to healthy eating for families to my take on the latest nutrition “buzz.” Feel free to comment or ask questions and I’ll do my best to respond. Please share this site with your friends and colleagues.

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @PalumboRD

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Christine Palumbo Nutrition
3 months ago

Christine Palumbo Nutrition

Just in time for American Heart Month, I’m proud to be included in this article.

… See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Blushing Beauties

chicagocaregiving.com

Victoria Shanta Retelny, RDVicki is a registered dietitian nutritionist, lifestyle nutrition expert, writer, culinary and media consultant and author of two books. victoriashantaretelny.com7 red foods…

View on Facebook

·
Share


Share on Facebook


Share on Twitter


Share on Linked In


Share by Email


View Comments


  • Likes:

    2

  • Shares:

    0

  • Comments:

    1

Comment on Facebook

Thanks you for contributing and sharing, Christine!


Load more

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @PalumboRD

© 2023 · Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND | Naperville, Ill. | Disclosure

Website design by String Marketing

Speaking Client List

Over 400 presentations, including several keynotes (partial list):

Corporate:

  • AAR Corporation
  • Abrasive Technologies
  • Ace Hardware Corporate Headquarters
  • Acres Enterprises
  • Advanced Urology Associates
  • Ambrosi Corp.
  • American Association of Endodontists
  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  • American Board of Pediatric Dentists
  • American Hotel Register
  • American Service Insurance
  • Arlington Automotive Services
  • Aquion
  • Associated Agencies
  • Associated Integrated Supply Chain Solutions
  • Baker Tilly Virchow Krause
  • Barilla USA
  • Benet Academy
  • Berry Health Benefits Symposium
  • Blue Plate Catering
  • BP/ Amoco
  • Canopy Realtors
  • Carol Stream Fire Department
  • CBS Radio’s Spring into Shape Expo
  • Chapman and Cutler LLP
  • Chicago Dental Society
  • Chicago Dental Society-West Suburban Region
  • Chicago Heart Association
  • Club of Indian Women
  • Countryside Associates
  • Crown Media/Hallmark Channel
  • Discover Card Services
  • Dominick’s Finer Foods
  • DuPage County Police Chiefs’ Secretaries Association
  • Entertainment Cruises
  • EPKO
  • Family Festival of Surprises
  • Farm Foundation
  • Farmers Insurance Exchanges
  • Feeding America
  • Food Executive Women
  • Fox River Foods
  • Freedman Andelmo Lindberg
  • Girl Scouts of Fox Valley Council
  • Harbortown
  • Healthy Living Summit
  • Heartland Spa
  • Home Run Inn Pizza Corporate Headquarters
  • Horizon Publishing
  • HSBC Finance Corporation
  • Illinois Alliance for the Aging
  • Illinois Probation and Court Services Association
  • Ingredion
  • International Truck and Engine Corp.
  • INX International Ink
  • JPMC
  • Kellogg’s Marketing and Innovations Group
  • Lanco International
  • Land of Lincoln Soybean Association
  • Lawson Products
  • Lucent Technologies
  • Meeker-Magner Company
  • Mobil Oil
  • Moneris Solutions
  • Museum of Science & Industry
  • MultiPlan, Inc.
  • Naperville School District #203
  • Naperville Women’s Forum
  • National Association of REALTORS
  • National Lead Information Center
  • Navistar
  • NBC5 Health & Fitness Expo
  • NB Coatings
  • Near North Health Service Corporation
  • Nestle
  • Network Services Inc.
  • Norkol Converting
  • Northern Illinois University Graduate Colloquium
  • Northwestern University
  • Odontographic Society of Chicago
  • OptumHealth Care Solutions
  • OSG Tap & Die
  • Palos Community Hospital 30th Anniversary Keynote
  • Pangere Corporation
  • Parksite Inc.
  • Pekin Insurance
  • Perkins + Will
  • Radiological Society of North America
  • Rail Europe
  • Realtick
  • River Glen Church
  • Rippinger Financial Group
  • Rush-Copley Medical Center
  • Saint Catherine University Alumnae Association
  • School District U-46
  • SEKO
  • Sidley Brown Austin & Wood Law
  • Sigma Foods
  • Smithfield Foods
  • Southlake Auto Mall
  • Spartan Stores
  • Sunset Foods
  • Sysco/Continental-Keil Food Show
  • Taste of Colorado
  • TD Bank
  • The Nova Network
  • The Wooden Door Spa
  • Tishman Speyer
  • True Value Company
  • Ukrops Pharmacy Managers
  • Unilever Food Solutions
  • United Healthcare
  • USDA – FSIS
  • Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network
  • U.S. Bank
  • U.S. Soy Symposium
  • Vitas Healthcare Corporation
  • WellCare
  • West Suburban Dental Hygienists Society
  • Wheaton College
  • YMCA of the USA
  • Zurich North America

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its affiliates:

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Arkansas Dietetic Association
  • Dietitians in Business and Communications
  • California Dietetic Association
  • Central Illinois Dietetic Association
  • Dietitians of West Michigan
  • Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Hines VA Dietetic Internship
  • Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Ingalls Hospital Dietetic Internship
  • Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • New Mexico Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • New York Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • North Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • South Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • West Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Corporate Consulting List

  • A Fresh Look
  • AHA Marketing
  • Bimbo Bakeries USA
  • California Raisin Marketing Board
  • California Walnut Commission
  • Cargill
  • Cyberdiet.com
  • Dairy Management Inc.
  • Eastside Cafe Pizza Manufacturers
  • Edelman
  • Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association
  • Food Marketing Support Services
  • Fox Metro Water Reclamation District
  • Fran’s Healthy Helpings
  • Golin Harris
  • Integer Group
  • Jokari Healthy Steps
  • Market Day
  • Marina Maher Communications
  • McDonald’s
  • Mongolian Barbecue Restaurant
  • Naperville YMCA
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • National Cheese Institute
  • Northwestern Hospital
  • Old London Melba Toast
  • Popchips
  • Popcorn Institute
  • Publicis Dialogue
  • Quaker Oats Health Institute Speakers Network
  • Red Robin Restaurants
  • Sara Lee
  • Smithfield Foods, Inc.
  • Smuckers
  • Suntory Water Group/Hinckley Springs
  • SuperTarget
  • Tishman-Speyer
  • United Healthcare
  • United States Potato Board
  • Vegetarian Times magazine
  • Weber Shandwick
  • Weight Watchers
  • Welch’s

Spokesperson Client List

  • American Egg Board
  • American Plastics Council (Food Safety)
  • Bimbo Bakeries (Arnold/Oroweat/Brownberry)
  • Boca Foods
  • California Raisin Marketing Board
  • Campbell’s Select Harvest Soups
  • Dean Foods
  • Dominick’s (Safeway)
  • Driscoll’s
  • Florida Department of Citrus
  • Giovanni Rana
  • Kellogg’s
  • Kraft Cheese
  • Lifeway Foods
  • Louis Rich Fat Free Turkey
  • McCain Foods
  • Mead Johnson
  • Michigan Cherries
  • Milk Processor Education Program
  • National Turkey Federation
  • Nature Well natural beef
  • Popchips
  • Quaker Oats
  • Sargento Foods
  • SuperTarget
  • United States Soybean Board
  • Welch’s
  • Wrigley Healthcare
  • ZESPRI Kiwifruit
Speaking

Cutting-edge nutrition that’s easy to understand

Topics for Groups

•  Making Positive Changes That Stick: Five Steps to Moving Out of That Cycle You’re Stuck In
• Supermarket Smarts: Avoid Food Marketers’ Tricks and Traps
• Anti-Stress Eating
• Cut the Fad Out of Diets: Select the Best Plan for You
• Defensive Dining: How to Eat Out & Keep Your Waistline
• Foods You Think Are Healthy….That Really Aren’t
• Forever Young: What You Can (& Can’t) Do To Slow the Aging Process
• How to Energize Your Life
• Is Your Job Making You Fat/Diet Wreckers in Your Desk
• Meal Solutions for Busy People
• Power Foods for Heart Health
• The Healthy Refrigerator: Stock Yours to Guarantee Nutritious Eating
• Top Five Nutrition Myths for Kids
• Top Ten Nutrition Strategies for Better Health

Specifically for Health Professionals
• Becoming an Expert Communicator: Making Communications Concise, Clear and Compelling
• Image 2020: What You Need for Professional Success
• Making Connections: Relationship Building for Career Success
• Engaging Readers: Nutrition Writing that Shines
• Keeping Current: Make Today’s Nutrition and Food Trends Work for You
• If the Media Calls: Are You Ready?

Corporate Consuling
Christine consults with public relations firms, food companies, restaurants, and not-for-profits.

She is available for:
• Developing nutrition education materials
• Spokesperson
• Exhibiting at professional meetings
• Writing/Marketing/PR
• Partnering with you on special projects
• Ideation sessions

Past clients
Over 500 presentations including Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and many of its affiliates, AAR Corporation,  Ace Hardware Corporate Headquarters, American Association of Endodontists, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American Board of Pediatric Dentists, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Barilla USA, Berry Health Benefits Symposium, BP/ Amoco, Chicago Dental Society, Crown Media/Hallmark Channel, Discover Card Services, Entertainment Cruises, Feeding America, International Truck and Engine Corp., Kellogg’s Marketing and Innovations Group, Lucent Technologies, Mobil Oil, National Association of REALTORS, Navistar, Radiological Society of North America, Unilever Food Solutions, United Healthcare, U.S. Bank, Women’s Athletic Club of Chicago, YMCA of the USA, Zurich North America.
Full list available upon request.

Nutrient Analysis
Analyze recipes for nutrient values:
• Accurate
• Quick turnaround

Simply click on an image below to download:

 

Loading Comments...