wellhealthorganic.com:alcohol-consumption-good-for-heart-health-new-study-says-no; A recent study published in the journal BMJ has suggested that the negative impact of alcohol on heart health outweighs any potential benefits. The study analyzed data from over 2 million people across 50 countries and found that alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of several cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart failure, and hypertension. The researchers also found that there was no safe level of alcohol consumption when it came to cardiovascular health. The study’s authors concluded that their findings support the current guidelines that recommend limiting alcohol intake to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Introduction
Throughout the 10,000 or so years that humans have been drinking fermented beverages, they’ve also been arguing about their merits and demerits. The debate still simmers today, with a lively back-and-forth over whether alcohol is good for you or bad for you.
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It’s safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones. Heavy drinking is a major cause of preventable death in most countries. In the U.S., alcohol is implicated in about half of fatal traffic accidents. [1] Heavy drinking can damage the liver and heart, harm an unborn child, increase the chances of developing breast and some other cancers, contribute to depression and violence, and interfere with relationships.
Alcohol’s two-faced nature shouldn’t come as a surprise. The active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, a simple molecule called ethanol, affects the body in many different ways. It directly influences the stomach, brain, heart, gallbladder, and liver. It affects levels of lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and insulin in the blood, as well as inflammation and coagulation. It also alters mood, concentration, and coordination.
What’s Moderate Alcohol Intake? What’s a Drink?
wellhealthorganic.com:alcohol-consumption-good-for-heart-health-new-study-says-no Loose use of the terms “moderate” and “a drink” has fueled some of the ongoing debate about alcohol’s impact on health.
In some studies, the term “moderate drinking” refers to less than 1 drink per day, while in others it means 3-4 drinks per day. Exactly what constitutes “a drink” is also fairly fluid. In fact, even among alcohol researchers, there’s no universally accepted standard drink definition. [2]
In the U.S., 1 drink is usually considered to be 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of spirits (hard liquor such as gin or whiskey). [3] Each delivers about 12 to 14 grams of alcohol on average, but there is a wider range now that microbrews and wine are being produced with higher alcohol content.
The definition of moderate drinking is something of a balancing act. Moderate drinking sits at the point at which the health benefits of alcohol clearly outweigh the risks.
The latest consensus places this point at no more than 1-2 drinks a day for men, and no more than 1 drink a day for women. This is the definition used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, [3] and is widely used in the United States.
The Dark Side of Alcohol
wellhealthorganic.com:alcohol-consumption-good-for-heart-health-new-study-says-no Not everyone who likes to drink alcohol stops at just one. While many people drink in moderation, some don’t.
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