Alcohol has a long history in human cultures around the world. Until recently, not much has been known about the specific positive effects alcohol has on the body, but new research is showing stronger and stronger evidence that moderate drinking can be very healthy.
The strongest benefit of drinking alcohol is within the heart. Alcohol specifically lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol. The blood thins, reducing the risk of stroke and blood clots. To optimize these heart effects, men should drink frequently and women should drink large amounts; however, this approach is not ideal overall, just in terms of heart health. No one is quite sure yet why there is a gender difference in the optimal drinking strategies for these heart effects.
In addition to helping the heart, moderate alcohol consumption correlates with sharper thinking overall. There is also preliminary evidence to indicate an improvement in insulin sensitivity, which would mean a decrease in the risk for Type 2 Diabetes; this is still being researched and is not certain yet. Finally, red wine in particular is very high in antioxidants, which can lead to a decrease in the risk of several types of cancer.
Drinking alcohol is not all flowers and smiles, though. Alcohol is an addictive substance and can easily be abused. Heavy drinking or even above-moderate drinking can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease, and certain kinds of cancer (most notably breast cancer in women). Additionally, most alcohol sources are high in calories.
If you drink, moderation is the key. For men this means one or two drinks per day, for women, one drink per day. And no, a large wine glass doesn't mean you can drink twice as much. If you don't drink, don't start just for the health benefits: all of the health benefits can be achieved other ways.
Alcohol is definitely good for us in small amounts. The key is moderation if you choose to drink. Cheers!
Resources:
- The Alcohol Debate: Should You or Shouldn't You? [www.webmd.com]
- Hearty Drinkers Have Healthy Hearts [www.webmd.com]
- The Truth About Alcohol [www.webmd.com]
Other news
- What was the question? Study: 1 in 3 ADHD cases linked to lead, smoke [www.msnbc.msn.com]
- Keeping American life in proportion: Efforts to help obese children floundering [www.msnbc.msn.com]
- The hazards of aging: Planning for Health Care in Your Retirement [www.healthday.com]
- Just one more reason to quit: Smokers May Be More Likely to Contract HIV [www.healthday.com]
From the editor
My trip to Australia is coming to a close, and I only have a few days left here on the Sunshine Coast. I do get to spend several days in Sydney before I return to the US, but even so, these trips always end too soon.
After all the terrorist scares last month, I understand air travel in the US has become even more problematic. I am not looking forward to security and customs upon my return.
While I have very specific views on the effectiveness and need of the new security methodologies, this newsletter is not the best forum for that discussion. I will suggest checking out the book "Beyond Fear" by Bruce Schneier if you would like to read an objective opinion on the measures being taken and strategies for security in general. I've included a link to this book below.
Time to cram some last-minute sunshine into my trip!
Healthy thoughts,
Jeff
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