Drinking is a huge part of our culture and so engrained in the way we socialize, entertain and relax. So much so that it's hard to imagine a couple glasses of wine or a cocktail doing us any real harm. The fact is, a lot of midlifers—especially women around menopause—begin experiencing an intolerance to alcohol or no longer liking the way it makes them feel. And just when we thought some types of alcohol offer health benefits, some of that research is now being called into question. On this episode, functional nutritionist Teri Patterson, a sobriety and mindful drinking coach, helps you sort through the confusion. She debunks some of the most common myths associated with drinking, and explains how alcohol affects your body and health—so you can make more informed choices about your drinking habits.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Teri and I chat about:

• The reasons she "broke up" with alcohol a few years ago, and why she's on a mission to help people understand the impacts of alcohol consumption
• The multitude of ways our culture encourages social drinking
• When and why women's uptake of alcohol consumption started to increase
• How alcohol affects you biologically and the risks associated with its consumption
• Why even light drinking may be associated with certain health risks
• How alcohol particularly affects women in midlife—especially those navigating menopause and other hormonal changes—and why you may be experiencing more side effects these days after having only one or two drinks
• What an "alcohol break" looks like and how it can be beneficial for anyone, even a light drinker
• How to determine whether or not alcohol is serving you, and what to do if you decide to cut back or stop altogether
• How to know if you have a problem with alcohol, or if someone close to you does

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.