I am a male of average height and weight. if i drink about three drinks a day but also eat a balanced diet and exercise, am i hurting my health?

Yes: Excessive drinking can be associated with a variety of health problems. The current recommendation is not to exceed one alcoholic drink a day. This will prevent gaining weight (from 'empty' calories), pancreatic and liver problem (such as pancreatitis and cirrhosis), high triglycerides, etc.

Yes and no.: Immediate effects on the body may be negligible, however all-cause mortality is slightly higher with your level of alcohol consumption than in those who consume fewer drinks per day. See graph. Lowest mortality occurs at 7 drinks per week for men, 5 for women. Thanks for trusting HealthTap!