Alcohol is good for you

This article is not being truthful when it says there is irrefutable proof that alcohol consumption makes you live longer. The study they cite finds a negative correlation between moderate drinking and mortality, but that type of study cannot determine causation. Maybe being healthier makes you drink more moderately, or maybe both are caused by some third factor - like a genetic disposition against impulsiveness.

Also, the US government does mention the relationship between moderate drinking and health, although it does not endorse drinking for this purpose:
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/DietaryGuidelines2010.pdf

Fun fact: Moderate alcohol exposure increases lifespan in roundworms, and they have no cardiovascular system:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21871869

 

It took a bit of searching but I did find a mention of alcohol in the guidelines associated with the word “benefit”:

“The consumption of alcohol can have beneficial or harmful effects, depending on the amount consumed, age, and other characteristics of the person consuming the alcohol. Alcohol consumption may have beneficial effects when consumed in moderation. Strong evidence from observational studies has shown that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Moderate alcohol consumption also is associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older adults and may help to keep cognitive function intact with age. However, it is not recommended that anyone begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of potential health benefits because moderate alcohol intake also is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, violence, drowning, and injuries from falls and motor vehicle crashes.”

Most of the guidelines discuss the negative aspects of alcohol and many of the statements of ‘recommended’ amounts have no mention of health benefits. For example: “If alcohol is consumed, it should be consumed in moderation—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men—and only by adults of legal drinking age.”

There are also a number of times where this is mentioned: “It is not recommended that anyone begin drinking alcohol or drink more frequently on the basis of potential health benefits.”

Based upon the way alcohol is overall addressed in the Dietary Guidelines I personally agree 100% with Stanton Peele’s assertion of: “Not discussing the beneficial impact of alcohol on heart disease has been a systematic policy of the U.S. public health establishment, …”

Cheers!

 

There's a very fine line. Like when you're playing golf and have a couple early, relax, start making very good unstrained shots from everywhere. As the day drags on, the sun beats down, and your brother-in-law makes several birdies in a row, you have a few more, and you're suddenly looking around, dumbfounded, trying to figure out where that other guy in your body went. Some damned kind of balance must exist!

 

Studies that mention the word association are tricky. There can be an association between T.V.s and obesity. The headlines may read "TV is found to cause diabetes or heart disease." Really? How can a TV be bad for your heart or raise your blood sugar? Well, the association is that most people that watch allot of TV also snack allot. Many of those who snack allot and watch TV most likely don't exercise much either. Then they may find that these types tend to drink and smoke more. So this becomes an association. The better studies look for cause. Association is a load of crap most times. A study like that will make you afraid to by TV!! It's not the TV...it's you.

 

I foresee many "healthy" Sunday afternoons in my future.

http://www.americanskybeer.com/hangar-hours

 

Solid thread. I feel good about myself!!!