The pros and cons of alcohol consumption
Dr Raghu S Thota, MD – (Anaesthesiologist)
For every article you read about the benefits of alcohol consumption, another seems to warn you of its risks. You might find such conflicting information confusing and frustrating.
Though moderate alcohol use seems to have some health benefits, anything more than moderate drinking can negate any potential benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as two drinks a day if you’re a male under 65, or one drink a day if you’re a female or a male over 65.
Though moderate alcohol consumption has some proven benefits, there are times to avoid alcohol completely. Pregnancy is one such time, due to the risk of foetal alcohol syndrome, a series of birth defects including abnormal facial features, growth retardation, and mental retardation.
Here are some points on alcohol consumption for you to consider.
Health benefits
▪ Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health
benefits. It may:
▪ Reduce your risk of developing heart disease, peripheral
vascular disease and pain in the calves
▪ Reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack
▪ Possibly reduce your risk of strokes, particularly ischemic
strokes
▪ Lower your risk of gallstones
▪ Possibly reduce your risk of diabetes
Health risks
▪ Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health
problems, including:
▪ Cancer of the pancreas, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esopha-
gus and liver, as well as breast cancer
▪ Pancreatitis, especially in people with high levels of
triglycerides in their blood
▪ Sudden death in people with cardiovascular disease
▪ Heart muscle damage (alcoholic heart enlargement) lead-
ing to heart failure
▪ Stroke
▪ Brain atrophy (shrinkage)
▪ Cirrhosis of the liver
▪ Miscarriage
▪ Foetal alcohol syndrome in an unborn child, including
impaired growth and nervous system development
▪ Injuries due to impaired motor skills
▪ Suicide
What counts as a drink?
A drink is defined as 12 ounces (oz.) of beer (approx. 1 Banks Premium), 5 oz. of wine or 1.5 oz. (one shot) of 80-proof distilled spirits (Johnnie Walker black label scotch). Again, keep in mind that people age 65 and older shouldn’t drink more than one drink a day. With increasing age, adults break down alcohol more slowly, leading them to become intoxicated more quickly and increasing alcohol’s damaging effects.
“Moderate use” = no more than one serving a day for women, two for men.
A Drink is defined as
5 fluid ounces of wine
12 fluid ounces of regular beer (Banks Premium)
1.5 fluid ounce (one shot of whisky, rum or gin)
Who shouldn’t drink alcohol?
People with certain health conditions shouldn’t drink any alcohol, as even small amounts could cause problems. Don’t drink alcohol if you have:
▪ A history of a haemorrhagic stroke
▪ Liver disease
▪ Pancreatic disease
▪ Evidence of precancerous changes in the esophagus, larynx, pharynx or mouth
In addition, alcohol interacts with many common prescription and over-the-counter medications. Check with your doctor, if you take:
▪ Antibiotics
▪ Anticoagulants (blood thinning drugs)
▪ Antidepressants
▪ Diabetes medications
▪ Antihistamines
▪ Anti-seizure medications
▪ Beta blockers
▪ Pain relievers
▪ Sleeping pills
The heart of the matter
Point: Most evidence in support of moderate alcohol use comes from cardiovascular research. When consumed in moderation, alcohol increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol and decreases blood clotting and insulin resistance—all of which should reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Counterpoint: Clearly, say experts, drinking three or more alcoholic beverages daily is not healthy; it raises blood pressure, elevates blood triglycerides, increases the risk of stroke and heart failure and contributes to obesity.
It’s all in your head
Point: Several studies suggest that moderate alcohol use lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Women who drank about one alcoholic beverage daily had half the risk of the most common kind of stroke—from a blocked artery.
Counterpoint: There’s no question that excessive exposure to alcohol is toxic to the brain. Alcohol abuse accelerates aging of the brain, may cause deficiency of the B vitamin thiamine and is associated with higher risk of stroke.
A diabetes dilemma
Point: Several large studies have found lower rates of diabetes in people who drink moderately—as much as 36% lower for light-to-moderate drinkers
Counterpoint: On the other hand, heavy drinking increases the risk of diabetes, perhaps at least partly, because it contributes to obesity, a prime risk factor.
A connection to cancer
Point: Fruits, vegetables and tea, red wine and dark beer contain antioxidants called polyphenols, believed to protect against cell damage that can lead to cancer. Xanthohumol, a potent antioxidant found in hops used to make beer, may have the potential to slow cancer cell growth and enhance cancer-fighting enzymes.
Counterpoint: You don’t need to drink alcohol to get antioxidants; you can get plenty from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Moreover, excessive intake of any kind of alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, breast and colon.
The bottom line
Clearly, moderation is the key to deriving any benefits from drinking alcohol. As yet, there is not enough evidence to suggest that anyone who doesn’t drink should start drinking for health reasons. Moreover, many people have sound reasons for avoiding alcohol; the list of caveats is long.
Certainly, alcohol should not be consumed by anyone engaged in activities that require attention, skill or coordination, such as driving or operating machinery. People with health conditions made worse by alcohol, such as high triglycerides, pancreatitis, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart failure or a personal or family history of alcoholism should consider abstinence from all forms of alcohol. The final word on whether the antioxidants present in wine and beer offer significant benefits is debatable. For those who do choose to imbibe, most research has failed to establish significant advantages to drinking red wine over white wine, beer or spirits.
