We may think that water is the only substance consumed by animals. But contrary to this, it was long ago discovered that animals also consume liquids such as fruit juices, milk and other foods. Thus, there are two sides of the same coin. Water is the only liquid absorbed directly by the body, while other fluids are used for other purposes.

A drink is basically a liquid meant for consumption. However, unlike the other liquids, milk has many health benefits for humans. Other than their primary purpose of satisfying thirst, beverages play pivotal roles in human society. Common examples of such beverages include juice, plain water and hot chocolate.

Unlike the other liquids, alcohol has several health effects for both animals and humans. Some of the most serious effects of alcohol consumption are liver cirrhosis and cancer of the esophagus. Most of the health problems related to the consumption of alcoholic drinks are found during pregnancy, when women are more at risk of developing such problems than the men. The consumption of caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cocoa during pregnancy is linked to the increase of certain serum triglycerides.

Drinking alcoholic beverages regularly is strongly associated with the development of various forms of cancers. For example, for the drinking of a glass of red wine daily, an individual is at a significantly greater risk of developing rectal cancer. Research also shows that the regular consumption of caffeinated beverages increases the risk of bladder cancer. Thus, the standard drink for us may not be the safest drink for you.

The problem lies not only in the alcoholic drinks but also in the different beverage product lines. For example, while red wine is considered a fine beverage to drink, it is actually loaded with several types of dangerous agents. A good example is the red grape juice, which contains considerable amounts of fructose. High levels of this substance can lead to weight gain and unwanted features such as increased blood pressure, diabetes and other health conditions.

What makes the drinking of alcoholic beverages even more risky is the fact that many people simply cannot stop doing so. This means that their habits will eventually catch up with them. For example, if you drink one to two ounces of alcoholic beverages each day, you are at a greater risk of developing several health problems. Therefore, it would be best to avoid consuming more than two ounces of any type of beverages each day. If you are addicted to alcoholic beverages, you should consult your doctor immediately to discuss your options about treatment.