Around the Web – Alcohol
Alcohol use: If you drink, keep it moderate – from the Mayo Clinic. Red carefully, the article is hardly a ringing endorsement for moderation. The article defines moderation as ‘one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men’ – and it defines that one drink … which doesn’t sound like very much to this non-drinker. A quote:
If you’re a middle-aged or younger adult, some evidence shows that even moderate alcohol use may cause more harm than good.
We don’t endorse even moderate use of alcohol, but such advice as this should hardly give anyone encouragement to make any attempt at running the risks of alcohol use.
What is Moderate Drinking? Apparently nobody knows, but this pdf attempts to come to some conclusions.
Although the benefits and risks associated with moderate drinking have gained increasing attention in recent years from both researchers and the general public, no universal definition of moderate drinking exists.
The document’s conclusions certainly don’t lend much confidence about current definitions or the quality of much of the research on alcohol consumption.
Moderate Drinking May Shrink the Brain – speaking of research, here is an article reporting some startling conclusions.
Alcohol and the Heart – this article discusses effects of alcohol use on the heart, what is known about it and whether there are any benefits. What is striking is the very cautious language used. No ringing endorsement for moderation here, only caution and “perhaps”.
Long-term effects of alcohol, an article on Wikipedia, warns that the risks of alcohol use make any perceived benefit dubious.
Alcohol should be regarded as a recreational drug with potentially serious adverse effects on health and it is not recommended for cardio-protection in the place of safer and proven traditional methods such as exercise and proper nutrition.
Some experts argue that the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be outweighed by other increased risks, including those of injuries, violence, fetal damage, certain forms of cancer, liver disease and hypertension. As the apparent health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption are limited for populations at low risk of heart disease, other experts urge caution because of the possibility that recommending moderate alcohol consumption may lead to an increased risk of alcohol abuse.
Last, Centers for Disease Control has a useful FAQ about alcohol and its effects.
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished