Drinking and Not What´s the Best Way?

In the past, it has been suggested that having a glass of wine once in a while could be beneficial for your health. However, recent studies indicate that moderate drinking on an occasional basis does not offer any health advantages, and may even cause harm instead. Contrary to popular belief, drinking one or two alcoholic beverages daily is not healthier than abstaining from alcohol altogether.

JAMA Network Open recently published a study that examined more than 100 research papers, involving nearly 5 million individuals in total. The investigators analyzed this information to determine how consuming varying quantities of alcohol can impact the likelihood of dying from any cause. Furthermore, they took into account various factors that could have skewed previous investigations, such as an individual’s overall health in addition to their drinking habits.

Individuals who drank occasionally or consumed less than one drink per week on average did not demonstrate a significantly lower risk of death from any cause when compared to those who had never consumed alcohol, according to the researchers. The study found that moderate alcohol consumption provided no noteworthy health advantages and that a low daily intake of alcohol, less than 1 oz for women and roughly 1.5 oz for men, increased the risk of death. Additionally, females who drank alcohol had significantly higher death rates than females who abstained from alcohol consumption.

Is having any quantity of alcohol good for your health?

Dr. Yu-Ming Ni, a cardiologist specializing in non-invasive cardiology at the MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center, claims that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. He notes that individuals who consume more than a moderate amount of alcohol are exposing themselves to a greater risk of future health problems, and as per the study, these individuals have a higher likelihood of negative outcomes.

The negative impact of Alcohol on long-term health?

Dr. Tadwalkar states that various studies have repeatedly demonstrated the negative effects of alcohol consumption, especially when consumed excessively. These effects can include various forms of cancer and liver disease. In addition, alcohol consumption can also weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep, cause psychiatric disorders like depression, and result in acute impairment in cognitive function. These impairments can lead to accidents and injuries.Dr. Tadwalkar points out that heavier alcohol consumption can raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure. This contradicts the common belief that alcohol consumption is generally beneficial for heart health.

A Main Point

This study’s most significant contribution is to disprove previous beliefs that moderate alcohol consumption could provide potential health benefits.Dr. Tadwalkar points out that the primary difficulty with alcohol consumption is that many people struggle with self-control. There is a thin line between low or moderate alcohol consumption and excessive consumption. He emphasizes that he does not advise individuals to start drinking alcohol to obtain potential cardiovascular benefits. There are other more established and effective ways of achieving this goal.

According to Dr. Tadwalkar, healthy individuals who choose to consume alcohol in moderation regularly, especially in a social setting, are unlikely to suffer any significant health damage. He believes that the decision to consume alcohol should ultimately be a personal one, taking into account individual factors such as age, family history, medical history, emotional well-being, and personal values.

Original Article Prevention