Human livers filter and detoxify the blood, so it’s critical to consider how much you’re drinking to avoid damaging this vital organ. People who drink too much may benefit from a cleanse to help the liver remove impurities from the body. Here’s a guide to alcohol consumption to help you stay healthy and know when to cut back.

Acceptable Alcohol Allowance

Moderate drinking is defined as ingesting one alcoholic beverage a day for women and two for men. One drink equates to 12 fluid ounces of a beer with a 5% ABV, five ounces of wine with a 12% ABV, or 1.5 ounces of an 80-proof distilled spirit.

Women who have four or more drinks in two hours, and men who have five more drinks in two hours are considered binge drinkers. Ingesting alcohol at this frequency will overload the liver, causing it to malfunction and increase the likelihood of developing a liver disease, like cirrhosis.

The Benefits of a Healthy Liver

This organ weighs about three pounds and does over 500 jobs that promote optimal health. Everything that you eat and drink goes through the liver after being digested and absorbed into the blood. This organ cleanses the blood of toxins by sending them out through stool or urine.

Performing occasional cleanses can decrease liver inflammation, as well as protect against injury and scarring from excessive drinking. If you consume more than the recommended amount, cut back to moderate usage or try a dry period with zero alcohol.

If you’re interested in a liver cleanse, contact the team at M.O. Wellness Center in Waialua, HI. These professionals offer a variety of treatments to clean your body, such as their gallbladder and liver cleanse protocol. View their full list of services online, or call (808) 636-9004 to schedule an appointment.