Do you enjoy drinking beer or wine? When consumed in moderation, studies show that enjoying such drinks every now and then can have positive effects on our bodies.

But as too much of anything is bad, make sure that your occasional "drink" doesn't become a habit and you just stick to a glass or two.

Is Beer Bad for You?

As drinking alcoholic drinks continue to be a common practice, everyone should be mindful to not make it into a habit as there is a clear link between alcohol consumption and its adverse effects on our bodies, both immediate and long-term. While there are notable beer health benefits, you should still take beer health risks seriously and make sure to not succumb to excessive drinking.

To help you understand it better, here are 10 harmful effects of alcohol on your body:

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According to studies, excessive alcohol drinking can lead to negative long-term and short-term effects. Unsplash (CC0)

1. Liver health risks – Our liver is the organ that metabolizes alcohol, processing too much of this substance can bloat its cells, leading to liver damage. This can result in liver diseases like alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure and death.

2. Pancreatic health risks – Excessive alcohol drinking can also contribute to developing conditions like pancreatitis, where the pancreas suffers from inflammation and blood vessel swelling. Left unchecked, this can affect your body’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.

3. Brain health risks – It’s a well-known fact that alcohol consumption can also affect the brain. Alcohol can affect our memory, ability to learn and behavior. It can also result in loss of white and grey matter leading to brain shrinkage.

4. Compromised immune system – Alcohol consumption can also have a long-term effect on our immune system, impairing our body’s ability to stay strong and fight off diseases.

5. Cardiovascular health risks – Alcohol can also raise your cholesterol level, which puts your heart at a greater risk of suffering from numerous fatal conditions, such as stroke or heart failure.

6. Reproductive health risks – Excessive alcohol intake can have a negative impact on your reproductive health, leading to abnormalities in testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels which are needed for fertility. Alcoholism can also lead to a lower sex drive.

7. Weight gain – Alcoholic drinks contain empty calories and too much of these drinks can result in weight gain and increased cholesterol levels.

8. Depressive disorder – Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to alcohol-induced depressive disorder and anxiety. Most times, alcoholism can also lead to depression, which affects millions of people today.

9. Sleep disorders – Drinking too much alcohol can also affect our body's natural circadian rhythm and body clock, leading to sleep disorders like insomnia. Left unchecked, this can negatively impact our day-to-day lives.

10. Higher risk of cancer – The development of different types of cancer can be influenced by excessive alcohol consumption, such as breast, liver, esophageal, head, neck and colorectal cancer.

Non-Alcoholic Beer Alternative

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Curious Elixirs promotes healthy non-alcoholic cocktails that also taste great. curiouselixirs.com

Thankfully, you can continue to enjoy the refreshing taste of beer and other alcoholic drinks minus the alcohol through non-alcoholic beer alternatives. Curious Elixirs offers a delicious selection of such drinks.

The company describes its products as “craft cocktails without the booze,” specializing in great-tasting drinks that also have health benefits. Curious Elixirs offers non-alcoholic beer alternatives that use the best organic ingredients and contain no refined sugar. Its drinks also make use of adaptogens or herbal pharmaceuticals that counteract the effects of stress in our bodies.

Flavors & Purposes

Curious Elixirs currently has five flavors to enjoy, all these were made in collaboration with world-class bartenders, herbalists and food scientists.

1. Curious Elixir No. 1

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Curious Elixir No. 1 curiouselixirs.com

Made from carbonated filtered water, herbs, spices and juice extracts, this energizing drink is best served on the rocks, with an orange slice for garnish. One of Curious Elixirs' signature mixes, its a healthy take on Negroni, with rhodiola and gentian to boost your energy.

Order here for 8 cocktails in 4 bottles for $36.00 ($30.00 with a subscription) or 24 cocktails in 12 bottles for $89.00 ($75.65 with a subscription).

2. Curious Elixir No. 2

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Curious Elixirs No. 2 curiouselixirs.com

A mix of spicy pineapple margarita, ginger and lime, the Curious Elixir No. 2 is for quiet nights in and something to calm your nerves. It contains damiana, which helps relax your muscles and also acts as an aphrodisiac. Add a wedge of lime and salt the rim of your glass, pour it in and enjoy!.

Buy it here for 8 cocktails in 4 bottles for $36.00 ($30.00 with a subscription) or 24 cocktails in 12 bottles for $89.00 ($75.65 with a subscription).

3. Curious Elixir No. 3

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Curious Elixir No. 3 curiouselixirs.com

We drink to relax and unwind, the Curious Elixir No. 3 is perfect for that. Using the destressing benefits of ashwagandha and other fruit extracts, this non-alcoholic beverage is best enjoyed after a long day at work and chilling out.

Buy it here for 8 cocktails in 4 bottles for $36.00 ($30.00 with a subscription) or 24 cocktails in 12 bottles for $89.00 ($75.65 with a subscription).

4. Curious Elixir No. 4

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Curious Elixir No. 4 curiouselixirs.com

Tired mind after a busy day at work? Enjoy a drink with anti-inflammatory effects like Curious Elixir No. 4. It's a delicious drink made of ginseng, turmeric and holy basil that can help reduce stress.

Buy it here for 8 cocktails in 4 bottles for $36.00 ($30.00 with a subscription) or 24 cocktails in 12 bottles for $89.00 ($75.65 with a subscription).

5. Curious Elixir No. 5

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Curious Elixir No. 5 curiouselixirs.com

The latest addition to Curious Elixir's offerings, No. 5 is an old-fashioned smoked cherry chocolate flavored drink. Infused with immunity building ingredients like elderberry, ginger, cayenne and chicory, this spicy and smoky drink is perfect for giving your body balance. It also contains shatavari, a body-balancing ayurvedic ingredient best known as “the Queen of herbs.”

Buy it here for 8 cocktails in 4 bottles for $45.00 ($40.00 with a subscription) or 24 cocktails in 12 bottles for $115.00 ($100 with a subscription).

Curious Elixirs also offers a monthly variety pack for only $80.00 if you want to try all flavors. For more information about Curious Elixirs, you may click here.