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The start of the year may be long gone, but there are plenty of reasons to turn a “Dry January” into something more than a month-long challenge.
Simply put: Drinking less alcohol is better for your health than drinking more. Alcohol is a carcinogen. Even moderate amounts of alcohol consumption have been associated with a higher risk of certain chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease. If you don’t already drink alcohol, public health authorities advise there’s no reason for you to start.
The more alcohol someone consumes, the greater the risk of potential health problems. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
In Massachusetts, 17 percent of adults report binge or heavy drinking in the past 30 days – and that’s about the same for communities in the North Shore, as well.