5 Reasons Men Really Need to Watch the Booze

5 years ago | Men's Health

By Joy Stephenson-Laws, J.D., Founder

It’s National Men’s Health Month. And regardless of age, men who tend to drink heavily may want to consider reducing their alcohol intake.

An excessive intake of alcohol can be detrimental to the health for both men and women, but it may affect men in specific ways.

So in order to bring more awareness to Men's Health Month, let's discuss how booze may impact men's health.

Men are more likely to overdo it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are more likely to drink excessively than women. And if you think this is “no big deal” because men metabolize alcohol more efficiently than women, think again!

“Excessive drinking is associated with significant increases in short-term risks to health and safety, and the risk increases as the amount of drinking increases. Men are also more likely than women to take other risks (e.g., drive fast or without a safety belt), when combined with excessive drinking, further increasing their risk of injury or death,” reports the CDC.

Compared to women, men also have consistently higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations. Men are also more likely to commit suicide than women and have consumed alcohol prior to committing suicide.

There are specific types of cancer men may be more likely to get if they drink too much alcohol.

Particularly in men, heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver and colon.

Alcohol may affect a man’s sexual health.

Perhaps the biggest motivation of all for men to quit drinking alcohol or cut back is the fact that abusing alcohol may hinder their sex life and fertility.

“Excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production resulting in impotence, infertility, and reduction of male secondary sex characteristics such as facial and chest hair,” according to the CDC.

On top of this, drinking and sex don’t mix. Men who drink a lot and have sex are more at risk for engaging in risky behavior such as engaging in sex without condoms. And, of course, this can lead to unwanted pregnancies and contracting and spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A man’s blood pressure may especially be affected by alcohol.

According to the American Heart Association, until age 64, men are more likely to get high blood pressure than women are. Drinking too much alcohol may also raise blood pressure. So the combination of being a man and a man that drinks a lot can be very bad for blood pressure.

And keep in mind that high blood pressure disproportionately affects black males.

There is a strong connection between alcohol abuse and prostate cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.

In addition to this, several studies have shown that heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. In addition to developing high blood pressure, black men also have a greater risk of developing prostate cancer.

Drinking alcohol also depletes the body of essential vitamins and minerals that are key for fighting a myriad of diseases.

Clearly, how much you can drink is not a measure of how manly a man is. It can actually be a measure of how unhealthy a man is. Perhaps men can substitute some of that alcohol for plenty of water, natural, fresh juices and herbal teas.

Read more about how men can be proactive about their health.

Aside from watching alcohol intake or completely avoiding it, here are some older pH Labs blogs about men’s health that are definitely worth reviewing:

And as always, taking routine nutrient tests is highly recommended. Having the right balance of vitamins and minerals is key in maintaining overall health and wellness. If the test reveals you have too much or too little of a certain nutrient, a competent healthcare professional can work with you on making the necessary dietary changes and recommend quality supplements if necessary.

Happy Men’s Health Month and enjoy your healthy life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.