Easy on the Hooch

Anyone see “Pirates of the Caribbean 3”? Yo-ho-ho, ease up on the rum, buddy.

As the saying goes, everything in moderation. No one wants a slurring, stumbling lush around. And, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns that drinking too much—more than an average of 1-2 drinks per day for men, 1 per day for women—can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, breast cancer and heart failure (not to mention alcoholism). El bummer.

Red wine? Plenty of published studies support its benefit to heart health, but the AHA says there’s no scientific proof. Basically, the jury’s still out.

Any other excuses? Oh, right, the whole sleep-aid thing. Yes, you fall asleep faster after a drink, but alcohol consumed within a few hours of bedtime actually inter—

We interrupt this regularly scheduled, good night’s sleep for a special booze bulletin.

—rupts your normal sleep pattern.