The great alcohol debate

[spilldig 188]

Heres some reading for people. Including that terminally annoying owethemnowt - whose on ignore lest he expect me to answer his rather poisonus posts.

 

http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2017200,00.html

 

http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d671

 

http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d636

 

http://pmj.bmj.com/content/77/914/747

 

I cant answer the poll though as it's only in "moderation" that alcohol is good for you - can we twaek the poll?

 

I can't take part in the poll either, for the same reason.

[Guest]

There aren't any special health benefits of drinking.

Drinking is ok if it's within the limits.

However, excessive drinking leads to alcoholism, that's hell for the one that drinks and those living with alcoholic.

[flamingjimmy 10]

I am living evidence [that alcohol is lethal]

Erm, surely you'd need to be dead evidence to show that?

[El Cid 214]

For every person like me there are 50 that just enjoy a drink every now and then, 2 or 3 that really struggle with it and a fair chunk that don't drink as they don't like it.

 

What does need seriously addressing though is the culture around alcohol in this country.

 

I think you should think of another number!

 

As many as three-quarters of people may be drinking above the recommended daily alcohol limit.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21586566

[Cyclone 10]

There aren't any special health benefits of drinking.

 

There are quite a few actually.

 

---------- Post added 12-02-2017 at 16:44 ----------

 

I think you should think of another number!

 

As many as three-quarters of people may be drinking above the recommended daily alcohol limit.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21586566

 

Indeed, but where exactly does the recommended number come from, since you mentioned made up numbers.

[El Cid 214]

Indeed, but where exactly does the recommended number come from, since you mentioned made up numbers.

 

The alcohol-related death rate was 13.3 per 100,000 population in 2007; which is similar to the number of deaths caused by breast cancer.

[Obelix 11]

There aren't any special health benefits of drinking.

 

Have you looked at the links I posted? The ones that in fact do show special health benefits to drinking...?

[El Cid 214]

Have you looked at the links I posted? The ones that in fact do show special health benefits to drinking...?

 

Yes there are some benefits, but alcohol is still a drug that can result in death. Do the benefits outweigh the negatives?

[Obelix 11]

You think having a longer life vs not have a longer life is "some benefits?"

[El Cid 214]

Answer:

 

The positive and negative effects of alcohol are listed below.

 

Positive:

 

In the case of moderate use, alcohol has positive effects. You can get livelier, easier and relaxed. You can talk more easily and feel less tired.

 

According to some researchers, moderate alcohol use protects against cardiovascular diseases. This means a maximum of 2-3 glasses of wine or beer a day for men, and 1 to 2 glasses a day for women.

 

Socially, some people claim that it also has positive effects. It provides a lot of employment in the production, catering and retail of products and services in which alcohol plays a part. Also, people claim that alcoholic beverages helps people socialize.

 

Negative:

 

Excessive alcohol use increases the risk of a number of diseases: fatty degeneration of the liver, infection of the liver, liver cirrhosis (More), sleeping disorders, sexual problems, infection of the esophagus, infection of the stomach, infection of the pancreas, premature dementia, varying from a reduction of memory to the serious syndrome of Korsakoff; cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, intestines and breasts; hypertension and heart problems. Alcohol is also damaging during pregnancy. Also alcohol takes its toll in traffic.

 

Alcohol plays an important role in aggression. 40% of all incidents involving aggression occur while under the influence of alcohol. The police spend 22% of their time on cases involving alcohol. Violence on the streets and domestic violence while under the influence of alcohol happen often.

 

Also at work, alcohol has big consequences. 13% of all employees on sick leave have alcohol problems. Employees with alcohol problems produce at least 10% less work than their colleagues.

 

Alcohol can make people irresponsible; for example, getting pregnant in circumstances where they are unable to care for a child.

 

http://web4health.info/en/answers/add-alcohol-goodbad.htm

 

The benefits of drinking alcohol moderately

 

It can protect your heart. ...

Light drinking can boost your brainpower, and drinking moderately can help prevent cognitive decline. ...

One glass a day can keep you slim. ...

It can reduce diabetes risk. ...

Moderate drinking may prevent gallstones.

[truman 10]

Alcohol is lethal, ask anyone who has almost died from its effects.

 

So is water...

[Cyclone 10]

The alcohol-related death rate was 13.3 per 100,000 population in 2007; which is similar to the number of deaths caused by breast cancer.

 

Okay, but that doesn't answer the question. Where does the recommended number of units come from...

 

---------- Post added 13-02-2017 at 16:57 ----------

 

Yes there are some benefits, but alcohol is still a drug that can result in death. Do the benefits outweigh the negatives?

 

So is water. And pretty much everything else in the world.

Many vitamins and minerals will kill you in excess, or kill you if you don't have enough... The fact that something is dangerous IN EXCESS doesn't mean that something is dangerous per se.