From the Guidelines
Reducing the consumption of 7 coolers per day is strongly recommended for the health of both individuals and the community. According to the American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention 1, it is best not to drink alcohol, but for those who do choose to drink, consumption should be limited to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. Drinking 7 coolers daily far exceeds these recommended limits and can lead to significant health risks, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, increased cancer risk, dependency, and impaired cognitive function.
Some key points to consider when reducing alcohol consumption include:
- A standard drink of alcohol is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, which contain approximately 14 grams of ethanol 1
- Alcohol consumption is an established cause of at least 7 types of cancer, including cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract, liver, colorectal, and female breast cancers 1
- Community-wide excessive drinking can result in increased accidents, violence, healthcare burden, and negative social impacts
A gradual reduction approach is advisable, potentially decreasing by 1-2 drinks per week while seeking medical supervision for those who may experience withdrawal symptoms. Support resources like counseling, support groups, and medical assistance should be made available to help individuals reduce their alcohol consumption. Replacing drinking habits with healthier social activities and addressing underlying causes of excessive alcohol use would benefit both individual health and community wellbeing.
From the Research
Caffeine and Sugar Consumption
- The study 2 found that the addition of low concentrations of caffeine to sugar-sweetened beverages significantly increases their consumption.
- Another study 3 discovered that the co-ingestion of caffeine and sugar has a synergic effect on insulin-mediated metabolomic alterations.
Effects on Health
- Research 4 showed that a high sugar content, low caffeine drink does not alleviate sleepiness but may worsen it.
- A systematic review 5 found that caffeine intake has a negative effect on blood glucose control in individuals with type II diabetes.
- A review 6 of seven trials suggested that caffeine intake increases blood glucose levels and prolongs the period of high blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.
Community Implications
- Reducing caffeine and sugar consumption in the community may be beneficial for overall health, as excessive consumption has been linked to various health problems 2, 3, 5, 6.
- However, it is essential to consider individual factors, such as sleep restriction and diabetes status, when evaluating the effects of caffeine and sugar consumption 4, 5.