Alcoholic beverages – As evident by name, an alcoholic beverage is a drink, which contains alcohol or ethanol. A alcoholic beverage is any portable liquid, which contains ethanol or ethyl alcohol as an intoxicating agent, which is produced through the natural process of fermentation in which yeast breaks down the sugars in grains, fruits, or other plant sources into carbon dioxide and alcohol.

The alcoholic beverages are categorized on the basis of quantity of alcohol in the beverage are given below-

1. Beer – It is very popular and oldest alcoholic drink, which is made up of fermented grains such as malt and barley. After tea and water, it is the third most popular drink among youngersters.  Beer is breved most commonly from malted barley and generally had 4 percent to 6 percent alcohol by volume.
2. Wine – It is fermented beverage, which is produced or made up of fermented grapes. Wine has 9 percent to 16 percent of alcohol by volume and is made up of several fruits and rice also. Sake is a nice wine.
3. Cider – It is also an alcoholic beverage, which is made up of fermented juice of apples. The alcohol content in cider varies from 1.2 percent to 8.5 percent (sometimes 12 percent).
4. Distilled liquor – Most common beverages are vodka and whisky, which contains 40 percent or more alcohol by volume.
   • Whiskey – It is a popular alcoholic beverages or drink, which is made up of distilled from fermented cereal grains including corn, barley, wheat, and rye.
   • Vodka – It is made up of distilled from fermented cereal grains and potatoes with water and ethanol (alcohol).
   • Rum – It is also an alcoholic beverage or drink, which is made by and later distilled sugarcane juice or sugarcane molasses.
5. Mead – It is made up of fermented honey with water. The alcohol content ranges from 8 percent to more than 20 percent alcohol by volume.

Advantages of drinking alcoholic beverages – Drinking alcohol may causes an overall improvement in euphoria and mood. It also reduces anxiety, and increases self confidence. Moderate drinking of alcoholic beverage may reduce the risk of cardiovascular or heart diseases. Researchers have found that the chances of impotence or erectile dysfunction may decrease about 25 percent to 30 percent among moderate drinkers.

Alcohol may also beneficial in reducing blood clots , which acts as a blood thinner and lowers the risks of heart attack or stroke. It also enhances good cholesterol HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), which is also good for heart health.

Disadvantages of drinking alcoholic beverages – More than moderate drinking alcohol mainly affects the liver severely and may lead to inflammation of the liver, which is hepatitis and cirrhosis of liver.

Alcohol may increase blood pressure, which may enhance the risk of damaging heart muscle. It also plays role in developing different types of  cancers such as colon cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, mouth cancer, and many more.

Alcohol may also helps prevent against cold and may lower the chances of developing dementia. It may also lower the risk of gallstones and reduces chances of developing type 2 diabetes.