On average, one serving of alcohol contains 100-150 calories, so drinking 3 moderate drinks a day can add over 300 calories to your daily intake. Mixed drinks with juice, tonic, or syrups can further increase calories, contributing to weight gain over time.
Alcohol also suppresses the anti-diuretic hormone, which regulates fluid balance in the body. Without this hormone, the body flushes out water more easily, leading to dehydration. Drinking more than a couple of drinks in a short time, especially on an empty stomach, increases this risk. To avoid dehydration, drink alcohol with food and water.
If you don’t drink, there’s no need to start. If you do drink, keep it moderate: no more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 for women. Also, ensure you get enough folate—at least 400 micrograms daily.