Hold Your Liquor, Ladies

If women today think they are much snazzier than their gal pals of the past, then experts are here to tell them differently when it comes to their drinking habits. New research has shown that in the last 50 years, women have been anything but progressive when it comes to the ties between their health and alcohol.

While researchers say they have not yet pinpointed why women are more easily harmed by excess alcohol usage than men, one thing they know for sure is that they are more dependent on alcohol and 50% to 100% more likely to die from drinking too much.

Excessive alcohol consumption in women can lead to liver damage, heart disease and brain defects. What’s more, doctors say overindulgence in grandpa’s old cough medicine has been linked to breast cancer and an increased risk of sexual assault.

Experts also warn women to stay away from pooh-poohing the idea with a simple, “Well, of course, it’s because men are bigger!” The truth is doctors have found men have a larger amount of a specific enzyme in their stomachs that allows them to more easily break down alcohol. That means a woman can engage in a head-to-head drinking game with a guy of a similar weight, and she will not only lose, but be left with the health consequences.

How can you have a good time and enjoy healthy living? Try to learn appropriate alcohol serving sizes. For women that means 5 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of liquor or a 12-oz. beer no more than a few times a week.

And learn to think of alcohol as your favorite junk food—a nice, little treat, but always in moderation. [TODAY Show]