For many students, Homecoming weekend has nothing to do with Penn State football whatsoever. This statement also applies to students attending a tailgate, just for the tailgating festivities, without a clue as to what team we are playing. I have been guilty of this myself, because sometimes it is simply all about the boozing.

As we all know, there are potential risks when it comes to alcohol consumption. I really prefer not to be the Debbie Downer of your day, so I provided a bit of the good and bad news about drinking.

First, the bad news.

Heavy consumption of alcohol refers to two drinks per day for women and four drinks per day for men. A drink is considered to be a 12-ounce beer or wine cooler, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (vodka, tequila, rum, etc.).

Unfortunately, many of us consume more than two or four drinks on various nights throughout the semester.

While it is safe to say that a few nights of excessive drinking will not kill you or rot your insides, the following health risks can occur if heavy alcohol consumption continues for the long haul.

Drug interaction between a medication and alcohol can cause both substances to compete. If a reaction occurs, it may either block the medication's effect to heal the problem or cause augmentation in the drug's purpose -- also known as the multiplier effect.

Women should take caution in heavy drinking because of a link to breast cancer. Alcohol may have the potential to increase the levels of the hormone estrogen in the body, increasing the risk of breast cancer.

Reproductive complications can occur in both men and women. Women can experience irregular menstrual cycles and potential infertility. Men may have a reduced sperm count, which could lead to impotence.

Other risks include liver disease, various cancers, hypertension, stroke, heart arrhythmias, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gastritis and diarrhea. And, oddly enough, liquor has been noted to affect sweating and body odor.

Now for the good news.

I'm not trying to scare or sway you not to drink at all. Alcohol consump-
tion in moderation is all right.

One drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men is considered moderate consumption. Women are advised to drink less alcohol because of an enzyme in the liver in the female body that speeds up the metabolism of alcohol up to 20 percent faster than in men.

Moderate drinking has some heart-healthy benefits. There is evidence that shows it may reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease and stroke.

For one thing, alcohol may raise the levels of blood HDL, or "good" cholesterol, (think "H" equals "healthy") in the body, which clears plaque from the arteries.

For another, the reduction of the blood-clotting mechanism in the body, an effect of alcohol consumption, significantly lowers the potential for a blood clot to block a blood vessel.

In addition, wine and dark beers have positive characteristics. Both red wine and dark beers contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that may reduce the harmful effects of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol (think "L" equals "low," because you want low amounts of it in your body).

So if you decide to enjoy a few drinks this weekend, just be responsible. Understand that just like ordering a huge, calorie-laden plate of creamy pasta, it is OK to splurge every now and then.

There are no such things as bad foods or drinks, just bad choices. If you keep moderation as your M.O., your body will certainly thank you for it.