Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Alcohol’s evaporating health benefits

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Alcohol’s evaporating health benefits

    Spotted this on Slashdot. Found it very interesting.

    Alcohol’s evaporating health benefits
    http://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h407
    Industry lobbying and promotion are rife and unchecked by governments Given the harms attributed to alcohol use, it is not surprising that reports1 2 showing possible mortality benefits for low level users attracted enthusiasm among consumers, the media, and the alcohol industry, along with those who welcomed this as a positive response to accusations that calls for action were based on moral fervour. These apparent benefits are now evaporating, helped along by an important contribution in this week’s issue (doi:10.1136/bmj.h384).3 Through analyses based on the Health Survey for England, particularly designed to identify whether any reductions in mortality risk were greatest in older populations, Knott and colleagues show that if there is any beneficial dose-response relation, it is limited to women aged 65 or more—and even that association is at best modest and likely to be explained by selection bias.3 From the early days, headlines such as “a few drinks may help curb heart attacks”4 promoted messages around alcohol’s cardioprotective properties; many doctors felt comfortable advising patients that alcohol consumption could be beneficial and politicians used evidence on possible benefits to justify their failure to act on reducing harms.5 Alcohol companies …


    Tough call on whether to post this to science or political. Seems a bit of both to me, but the science forum looked lonely so it won.
    “Inside every sane person there’s a madman struggling to get out”
    –The Light Fantastic, Terry Pratchett
    Tags: None
  • #2
    It's a tough call. There are stress lowering effects in moderation, and red wine is loaded with beneficial compounds. OTOH, red grapes and 100% juice has these compounds as well.

    I drink so little alcohol it's a wash. I'm far more likely to cook with it; risotto, chili etc, which drives off the alcohol anyhow.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

    Comment

    Previous template Next
    Working...
    X