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| - Last Updated on December 2, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
An article on social media claims that alcohol consumption offers multiple positive effects for health. We did the fact check and found out it is half true.
The Claim
According to an article published on a website, there are health benefits of alcohol consumption.
Fact Check
The debate over the health benefits of alcohol consumption has persisted for years. There are conflicting studies and widespread myths about alcohol, which often clouds public perception.
Are there any health benefits of alcohol consumption?
Yes, but the potential health benefits of alcohol are very limited and often outweighed by the risks. Some studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption might help raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower the risk of heart disease. However, these benefits are modest and can be achieved through other means like diet and exercise. Moderate drinking may also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity, but this effect is small and varies by individual. Some research even indicates that moderate drinkers might live longer than non-drinkers, likely due to other healthy lifestyle factors they engage in. Research also indicates that alcohol consumption decreases the risk of dementia.
However, the risks associated with alcohol consumption are significant. Heavy drinking can lead to liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Alcohol increases the risk of various cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, and breast cancer. While a small amount might benefit the heart, too much alcohol increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Long-term alcohol use can also lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Chronic drinking can cause problems with memory and thinking clearly, and alcohol can irritate the stomach, leading to inflammation and other digestive issues. Excessive drinking is also associated with increased risk of obesity. Additionally, excessive drinking can weaken the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections. Alcohol consumption is also associated with higher incidences of accidents, injuries and violence.
In a claim WHO suggest a ban on drinking for women of childbearing age. It was for raising awareness of the risks of drinking among women of childbearing age only.
What does an expert say?
We checked with Dr Amit Harshana, a General Physician and Community Medicine Specialist at Akeso Health, in great detail about his expert opinion on drinking alcohol. He says, “As a doctor, I often get questions about the health benefits of alcohol consumption. While some studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake, particularly red wine, might offer certain heart benefits, these findings are often exaggerated and must be carefully weighed against the significant risks of alcohol use. The proposed benefits, like increased good cholesterol (HDL) and antioxidants such as resveratrol, are minimal compared to the well-known harmful effects, including liver disease, various cancers, mental health disorders, and addiction. It’s important to know that any potential benefits from moderate drinking can be easily obtained through safer choices like a balanced diet and regular exercise.”
Dr Harshana warns people regarding the adverse effects of alcohol, he continues with, “I strongly advise my patients not to start drinking alcohol for supposed health benefits. The myths about alcohol’s positive effects are often blown out of proportion and not substantial enough to justify drinking, especially considering the risk of abuse and addiction. The harms of alcohol far outweigh the modest benefits suggested by some studies. For those who already drink, I recommend reducing intake to minimise health risks. Keeping a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, physical activity, and social connections is a much safer and more effective way to achieve long-term health and well-being.”
Apart from this, some people also suggest that wrapping alcohol soaked cloth around the neck can cure coughs. But, this is medically incorrect.
How much alcohol is safe to drink?
To answer this, Dr Harshana says, “As per the latest WHO report, it clearly states that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago – this is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco.”
Dr Amit Harshana concludes with, “We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink – the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. The only thing that we can say for sure is that the more you drink, the more harmful it is – or, in other words, the less you drink, the safer it is.”
What are the health impacts of alcohol consumption?
Alcohol consumption affects the body in various ways, depending on the amount and frequency of intake. While some research suggests potential health benefits, these must be weighed against the well-documented adverse effects.
Alcohol consumption can have various side effects, both short-term and long-term. These effects depend on the amount consumed, the frequency of consumption, and individual factors such as age, gender, and overall health.
Short-term side effects:
- Impaired Coordination and Judgment: Alcohol affects the central nervous system, leading to impaired motor skills and decision-making abilities.
- Slurred Speech: Even moderate amounts can affect speech clarity.
- Drowsiness: Alcohol can make you feel sleepy and reduce alertness.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Excessive drinking often leads to gastrointestinal distress.
- Hangover: Symptoms like headache, fatigue, and dehydration are common after heavy drinking.
Long-term side effects:
- Liver Disease: Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
- Cardiovascular Problems: While moderate drinking might offer some heart benefits, heavy drinking increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
- Cancer: Alcohol consumption is linked to several types of cancer, including mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, colon, and breast cancer. Even light consumption increases the risk of cancer.
- Mental Health Disorders: Long-term alcohol use can contribute to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence.
- Cognitive Impairment: Chronic drinking can lead to memory problems and other cognitive impairments.
- Digestive Problems: Alcohol can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to gastritis and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Weakened Immune System: Excessive alcohol can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.
- Birth Defects: Alcohol abuse during pregnancy can cause birth defects in the developing foetus.
How does alcohol affect mental health?
Alcohol consumption can initially reduce anxiety and stress, but over time, it can contribute to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol dependence. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to neurological damage and cognitive decline.
Does moderate drinking improve heart health?
Research indicates that moderate alcohol consumption, especially red wine, is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The proposed mechanism involves alcohol’s ability to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and provide antioxidant benefits from compounds like resveratrol found in red wine.
Is alcohol good for blood pressure?
While some studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, excessive drinking is known to increase blood pressure, leading to hypertension and related complications.
Can alcohol reduce the risk of diabetes?
Moderate alcohol intake has been linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in some studies. The mechanism is thought to involve improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Excess alcohol intake is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, but the relationship is complex.
If you use insulin or certain diabetes medications like sulphonylureas, you are more likely to experience low blood sugar (hypo). Alcohol can worsen this because it reduces your body’s ability to recover when blood sugar drops. Drinking a lot or on an empty stomach increases this risk. Your risk of a hypo doesn’t end when you stop drinking; it can actually increase and last up to 24 hours.
Can alcohol consumption increase longevity?
Some epidemiological studies suggest a correlation between moderate alcohol consumption and increased longevity, possibly due to cardiovascular benefits. However, these findings are often contested and may be influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and social engagement. Also, this is especially true for the developed nations or societies. Whereas, for developing countries or marginalised communities, the scenario is completely the opposite.
Is moderate alcohol consumption okay?
The health benefits of alcohol consumption are highly dose-dependent. Light to moderate drinking (defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men) may offer some benefits. But, these diminish and turn harmful with increased consumption. Also, as per the latest WHO guidelines, even a single drink is harmful and may pose cancer risk for drinkers.
How do individual factors influence alcohol’s health effects?
Genetic factors, pre-existing health conditions, and overall lifestyle significantly influence how alcohol affects an individual. For instance, some people metabolise alcohol differently due to genetic variations, impacting its effects on their health.
What are common myths about alcohol and health?
Is alcohol really heart-healthy?
While some studies suggest cardiovascular benefits, these are generally modest and do not justify heavy or regular drinking. The risks of alcohol-related diseases often outweigh potential benefits.
Is red wine the best alcohol for health?
The supposed benefits of red wine are often attributed to resveratrol. However, the quantities present in wine are relatively low, and similar antioxidants can be obtained from non-alcoholic sources like grapes or blueberries.
Can alcohol replace exercise for health benefits?
No scientific evidence supports the notion that alcohol consumption can substitute for physical activity. Exercise remains important for cardiovascular and overall health.
Does alcohol improve digestion?
A common myth is that alcohol aids digestion. While a small amount of alcohol may increase gastric acid production, excessive consumption can lead to gastritis and other digestive issues.
Should you drink alcohol for health benefits?
The short answer is no. While moderate alcohol consumption might offer some health benefits, these should be carefully weighed against the significant risks. For many individuals, particularly those with a history of addiction, liver disease, or certain cancers, any level of alcohol consumption can be harmful. Public health guidelines generally recommend limiting alcohol intake and emphasise that non-drinkers should not start drinking for health reasons.
What are safer alternatives to alcohol?
For those seeking the possible benefits of alcohol without the risks, consider these alternatives:
- Diet: Incorporate heart-healthy foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial for cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
- Social Engagement: Maintaining social connections can provide mental and emotional benefits similar to those attributed to moderate alcohol consumption.
What are the effects of alcohol consumption on society?
Researchers have found many negative consequences of alcohol consumption that affect not just drinkers but also their families, friends, and co-workers. These problems include economic losses from missed work, disrupted relationships, emotional issues, health impacts, violence, and legal troubles. The risk of these problems increases as the average alcohol intake goes up.
Alcohol use is linked to a higher risk of injuries such as car crashes, falls, and fires. The more alcohol people drink, the higher their risk of injury, even at low levels of consumption. The amount of alcohol consumed in the six hours before an injury significantly increases the likelihood of that injury occurring.
Drinking patterns also affect the risk of violence and aggressive behaviour, especially in people with impulsive personalities. Alcohol dependence is closely linked to violence-related injuries.
While moderate drinking may lower the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), it’s still unclear whether this benefit comes from the alcohol itself or other lifestyle factors associated with moderate drinkers. More research is needed to better understand these relationships and improve public health strategies.
Why should you not start drinking?
We discourage alcohol consumption because it is a major cause of more than 200 diseases and injuries. Each year, harmful alcohol use results in 3 million deaths worldwide, which accounts for 5.3% of all deaths. Additionally, alcohol contributes to 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury.
Beyond health issues, alcohol misuse causes significant social and economic problems. It leads to death and disability early in life, with about 13.5% of deaths among people aged 20-39 years being alcohol-related. There is a clear link between harmful alcohol use and various mental and behavioural disorders, other noncommunicable diseases, and injuries.
In summary, the widespread and severe impact of alcohol on health, combined with its social and economic consequences, is why we strongly discourage alcohol consumption.
Also read our story on Does Alcohol Have an Effect on Stress? We have also written on The deadly trio: Jaundice, ignorance, and alcohol addiction. We have done a fact check on Is drinking alcohol totally safe while breastfeeding?
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