It is now approaching 2 to 1, according to one recent study. That's serious news for women. They become intoxicated with fewer drinks, and alcohol does its damage faster and with smaller amounts in women than in men. We've found that women who drink half as much as men are at the same risk for a dilated heart. Two or more drinks a day can lead to chronic liver disease for women.
Most men can drink three times that before they're at risk.
These alcohol statistics come on the heels of articles touting the heart benefits of a glass of wine a day. It may even decrease your risk by boosting your good cholesterol. If you are at risk for breast cancer, you should limit alcohol, especially if you are on estrogen therapy. A recent study found that the amount of alcohol in three 4-ounce glasses of wine more than tripled the amount of estrogen in a woman's system. The more exposure to estrogen over a lifetime, the greater the risk of breast cancer.