What Happens If You Drink a Bottle of Wine a Day?

Picture this: You’re at home, settled in for the evening. Maybe you’re cooking a delicious lasagna, catching up on Bodyguard, or simply winding down after a busy day. You uncork a bottle of wine to enjoy a glass with dinner. The first glass goes down smoothly, so you pour another while you're still cooking.

As the evening stretches on, you continue to sip absentmindedly. Maybe you top off your glass while engrossed in a gripping storyline on TV, or perhaps you enjoy another while chatting on the phone with a friend. The gradual nature of this process can make it surprisingly easy to finish off a bottle without really noticing it. It seems like a harmless little ritual, but what happens if that glass turns into a bottle each day? Let's take a look!

Why It's Easy To Miss

Here are some reasons why it can be easy to lose track of that bottle:

• Size deception. First, consider the size of the wine bottle and the volume of the glass. A standard bottle of wine holds 750 milliliters, which is approximately five 150 milliliter glasses of wine. However, many wine glasses today are much larger than this standard 150 milliliters, and if we fill them, we could be pouring double or even triple servings. We might think we’ve only had two glasses, but in reality, we’ve downed the equivalent of the whole bottle!
• Social and emotional factors. Our emotional state or social setting can also influence our drinking. When we're engaged in a lively discussion, it's easy to reach for the bottle without really thinking about it. On the flip side, if we're feeling stressed or anxious, we might pour another glass to help calm our nerves, losing track of the amount we're drinking.
• Lack of awareness. Finally, there's a general lack of awareness about what constitutes "moderate" drinking. For many, a glass of wine with dinner every night may seem perfectly reasonable. However, if this one glass gradually turns into two, three, or more, it's easy to slip into the habit of drinking a bottle a day without recognizing the potential health risks. Let’s now look into them further!

Is It Really That Big a Deal?

Let's begin with a simple question: what's in that glass you're holding? Wine is a complicated elixir of water, alcohol, organic compounds, and a dash of flavors. We've all experienced that momentary fuzzy warmth after downing a couple of glasses. But what happens when you have more than just one or two?

A bottle a day introduces an excess of alcohol into your system. The short-term effects are not a mystery to anyone who's had one too many: slurred speech, dizziness, and impaired judgment.

Drinking a bottle of wine a day for several days also significantly increases your risk of a hangover. It's not just about the throbbing headache and a spinning room — it's about being a less productive, less cheerful version of you.

The Long-Term Consequences

But it's not all about short-term blunders and morning-after regrets. Regularly consuming a bottle of wine a day can lead to a host of long-term health issues. The liver — a silent hero in our body — metabolizes alcohol. Unfortunately, constant exposure to large quantities of alcohol, the toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism, and wear and tear on the liver from working overtime can lead to a condition called alcoholic liver disease. This can progress to life-threatening conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Drinking a bottle of wine a day also takes a toll on your heart. But wait — doesn't wine help your heart? Isn’t resveratrol supposed to be super healthy? Well, it turns out that the risks of drinking outweigh the benefits. Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It’s a classic case of “too much of a good thing” — especially since that “thing” (resveratrol) can also be found in grape or pomegranate juice.

Additionally, regular, excessive wine drinking can affect our mental health, leading to depression and anxiety. It can also weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections. In short, chronic excessive drinking can negatively impact nearly every part of the body.

Small Steps Towards a Healthier You

If you find yourself nodding along, recognizing the routine of a bottle of wine a day, it might be time to rethink that ritual. Change is hard, but with small, deliberate steps, you can steer yourself towards healthier habits. Here are some tips to help you on your journey:

• Substitute the habit. Replace wine with a non-alcoholic drink. Herbal tea or sparkling water with a slice of fruit can be just as refreshing, and they won't leave you with a hangover or cause long-term problems.
• Find your support network. Reach out to your friends and family. Tell them about your goals and ask for their support. You'll be surprised how much easier it can be when you don't feel alone.
• Keep a drinking diary. Track your consumption. Tracking provides you with a tangible record of your progress, which can be very motivating.
• Seek professional help. If you feel you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional. They can provide you with tools and strategies that are proven to help.
• Take it slow. Remember, change takes time. Don't beat yourself up if you have a setback — just get back on track when you're ready.

Drinking a bottle of wine a day might seem harmless, but the effects on your body and mind can be significant. Recognizing that you need to make a change is a huge step. Remember, your health journey is just that — a journey. It won't always be easy, and it won't be instantaneous, but with dedication and patience, you can make positive changes in your life.