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Monday 18 November 2013

Is alcohol really bad

source : mayoclinic

Moderate drinking can offer some health benefits. But it's easy to drink too heavily, leading to serious health consequences.

It sounds like a mixed message: Drinking alcohol may offer some health benefits, especially for your heart. On the other hand, alcohol may increase your risk of health problems and damage your heart.

So which is it? When it comes to drinking alcohol, the key is doing so only in moderation. Certainly, you don't have to drink any alcohol, and if you currently don't drink, don't start drinking for the possible health benefits. In some cases, it's safest to avoid alcohol entirely — the possible benefits don't outweigh the risks.

Here's a closer look at the connection between alcohol and your health.
Health benefits of moderate alcohol use
  • Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits. It may:
  • Reduce your risk of developing heart disease
  • 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

Even so, the evidence about the possible health benefits of alcohol isn't certain, and alcohol
may not benefit everyone who drinks.

But why take alcohol at all if all its going to make you do is harm others or put them at risk of traffic accidents or violent behaviour, or negatively affect co-workers, relatives, friends or strangers. Thus, the impact of the harmful use of alcohol reaches deep into society.

even harmful use of alcohol have also been associated with infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS,tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).This is because alcohol consumption weakens the immune system and has a negative effect on patients’ adherence to antiretroviral treatment
.
It results in 2.5 million deaths each year. Alcohol is the world’s third largest risk factor for premature mortality, disability and loss of health.

Wine drinkers would like to believe that the old adage that red wine is good for the heart is true. But, is it? “Antioxidants in general help to prevent thrombosis and red wine has a high concentration of antioxidant substances called flavonoids. White alcoholic drinks, like vodka and cider, contain the least concentration of flavonoids. But this is a subject where more research is needed before we can give specific advice,” says Dr Chick.

Advice

Indeed, this is the overall alcohol and the heart conclusion from Professor Wallace and Dr Chick: there is evidence to suggest that low and moderate drinking (i.e., within the government's daily unit guidelines) can protect against coronary heart disease, but it is a relatively small effect and you should try other safer things first.

Drink responsibly >>>>>> (not more than a bottle for women a day; not more than two bottles of beer for men a day)