Over time, excessive consumption of alcohol, like wine, can lead to long-term memory loss. Long-term alcohol abuse, excessive drinking over the course of many years, can lead to brain damage. Alcohol-related brain damage can impair memory, decision making and the ability to live daily life without assistance.
Bottom line: One 125 mL glass of 9% wine nightly is generally low risk for many healthy adults but not risk-free. Reducing frequency, ensuring several alcohol-free days per week, and accounting for personal health, medications, and pregnancy status will lower long-term harms.
Signs you're drinking too much alcohol
People who drink daily do not necessarily have alcohol use disorder. And not all who misuse alcohol or have alcohol use disorder drink every day. But heavy drinking, even occasionally, can have harmful effects.
The first signs of kidney damage from alcohol include fatigue, swelling (hands/feet/face), changes in urination (more/less frequent, foamy, bloody), persistent nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, metallic taste, itchy skin, and dull lower back pain, as the kidneys struggle to filter waste and regulate fluids, leading to toxin buildup and fluid imbalances.
Any amount of alcohol can cause liver damage. Drinking more than two drinks per day consistently increases your risk of liver disease. However, the degree of liver damage varies greatly between individuals and there is no “safe” amount of alcohol to drink that cannot potentially cause liver disease.
Three key early warning signs of kidney problems are changes in urination (more or less frequent, especially at night), foamy or bloody urine, and persistent swelling, particularly around the eyes, feet, or ankles, indicating fluid retention. Other common signs include persistent fatigue, nausea, itching, and loss of appetite, as toxins build up when kidneys aren't filtering effectively.
Drinking two glasses of wine a night isn't automatically alcoholism but can increase health risks and potentially lead to dependence, especially if it becomes a daily habit, with key factors being the serving size (two large glasses are riskier than standard), frequency, and whether it negatively impacts your life (like neglecting responsibilities or losing control). While moderate drinking guidelines exist (up to 3-4 drinks daily for women/men respectively, or 10 per week), heavy daily consumption carries significant risks for liver, heart, and mental health issues, emphasizing that less is generally better.
How can I cut down my drinking?
'High-functioning alcoholics', or 'functioning alcoholic', are colloquial terms for someone who's dependent on alcohol but is still able to function relatively effectively in their daily life. They'll be able to continue doing many of their daily tasks like going to work and looking after family members.
Some urine tests can detect alcohol use over a longer time frame. Saliva. This method of testing is less common, but it can still be used to see if you've recently had an alcoholic drink.
Warning Signs of Substance and Alcohol Use Disorder
The "20-minute rule for alcohol" is a simple strategy to moderate drinking: wait 20 minutes after finishing one alcoholic drink before starting the next, giving you time to rehydrate with water and reassess if you truly want another, often reducing cravings and overall intake. It helps slow consumption, break the chain of continuous drinking, and allows the body a natural break, making it easier to decide if you've had enough or switch to a non-alcoholic option.
Consumption of wine did not have an impact on biological aging, although more studies are needed to validate these findings. One episode of binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks on the same occasion) was associated with a month and a half acceleration in biological aging.
In the ongoing debate about wine versus vodka, it is essential to note that there is no worst alcohol for your liver; all forms of alcohol can harm the liver when consumed excessively.
The 20-minute wine rule is a simple guideline to bring wines to their optimal serving temperature: put red wines in the fridge for about 20 minutes to cool slightly (as room temp is too warm), and take white wines out of the fridge for about 20 minutes to let them warm up a bit (as too cold masks flavors). This helps unlock the full aromas and flavors, as serving wines too hot or too cold mutes their complexity.
If you feel that you need a drink every night or to get through a social event, stressful situation or personal struggle, and you have a compulsion to drink or constantly crave alcohol, maybe even daily, this could be a sign of psychological dependency.
When it comes to choosing a beverage, here are some great alternatives to your evening glass of wine:
Distract yourself with a healthy, alternative activity. For different situations, come up with engaging short, mid-range, and longer options, like texting or calling someone, watching short online videos, lifting weights to music, showering, meditating, taking a walk, or doing a hobby.
If you consume enough alcohol on a regular basis, you can develop a dependence. Risk factors for addiction to wine, or other types of alcohol and substances, include: Family history: Your family history can play a role in developing an alcohol addiction.
Signs of alcohol dependence (alcoholism) include: not being able to function without alcohol - for example, do your job or carry out daily tasks. drinking has become an important, or the most important, thing in life. continuing to drink despite the negative effects for you or your loved ones.
Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.
Stay Hydrated
Water helps flush out toxins and waste products from your body, allowing your kidneys to function more efficiently. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily, and consider increasing your intake if you're active or live in a hot climate.
Kidney function tests are urine (pee) and/or blood tests that evaluate how well your kidneys work. Your kidneys support your overall health by getting rid of waste and balancing body fluids and electrolytes. Most kidney function tests measure how well your glomeruli (glo-MARE-yoo-lye) work.