Reasons to Drink Less this Patio Season – Cleveland Clinic Newsroom

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CLEVELAND - With summer here, patio season is officially in full swing.

And while it may be tempting to enjoy the weather with a beer or glass of wine, its important to be mindful of how much youre drinking.

Drinking is really engrained in our culture, and we see a lot of it especially in the summertime, said Akhil Anand, MD, addiction psychiatrist for Cleveland Clinic. I encourage everyone to try their best to reduce their drinking consumption because of the medical, mental and social consequences of it.

Dr. Anand stressed alcohol has been found to contribute to more than 200 health conditions.

In fact, its tied to an increased risk for several types of cancer and can lead to other chronic conditions like liver and heart disease as well as stroke.

Dr. Anand added drinking may make you feel good in the moment, but it can ultimately cause long-term mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Alcohol can also impact the quality of your sleep by disrupting your overall sleep cycle.

If you do decide to drink this patio season, Dr. Anand said moderation is key and recommends keeping a few things in mind.

Alternate between drinking alcohol and water and make sure you have a good meal before because drinking on an empty stomach is very hazardous. There are also apps you can now use to track your drinking, Dr. Anand said.

Although its safest to avoid alcohol altogether, its recommended men should not have more than two drinks in a day, and women should not have more than one drink in a day.

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Reasons to Drink Less this Patio Season - Cleveland Clinic Newsroom