We know that drinking alcohol can be bad for our health in a number of ways. But many of us enjoy a few glasses of wine here and there, and most doctors agree that light wine consumption is acceptable. It’s overindulging that’s the problem.

Unfortunately, overindulging has become a widespread problem in recent years. Retirees often feel lonely for a variety of reasons, such as the loss of a regular work environment and health problems that can affect mobility. And then, during the pandemic, closures of social functions and the general atmosphere of fear led many people – no matter their age – to self soothe at home with a few drinks. Alcohol sales increased noticeably during the pandemic.

On top of that, wine glasses have grown in size. Similar to the mentality of filling up a large dinner plate (and that large plate leading to overeating) we feel the need to fill up a large wine glass. And unfortunately, a simple thing such as the size of your glass can lead to over consumption of alcohol.

A new study, published in the journal, Addiction, showed that participants in the UK consumed 6.5 percent less wine when they drank from a 10-ounce glass rather than a 12-ounce one. That’s not a huge difference, but it says a lot about our mental conditioning. Keep your glasses on the small side, and you’re less likely to drink to excess.

We know that excess alcohol consumption is linked to a number of chronic diseases, like cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. So, if you enjoy a glass or two of wine on occasion, perhaps consider the size of the glass. You can still imbibe to a reasonable degree but watching your portion sizes could be the key to reducing your risk of serious diseases.

And remember: Always talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about alcohol consumption or your risk of serious diseases. Proper medical advice is essential to making wise decisions about your lifestyle.