Alcohol is healthy when consumed in moderation. For instance, it reduces the risk of getting many diseases and health problems. It also promotes longer life. That’s compared to those who abstain from alcohol and those who abuse it.
It’s wise to discuss any alcohol and health concerns with your doctor. They knows your health history and that of your family.
Overview
1. Cardiovascular Disease
2. Survivability of Heart Attacks
3. Stroke
4. Type 2 Diabetes
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
6. Arthritis
7. Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
8. Osteoporosis
9. Gallbladder Disease and Gallstones
10. Kidney Cancer
11. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
12. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
13. Thyroid Cancer
14. Peripheral Arterial Disease
15. Misc. Facts
1. Coronary Heart Disease
Moderate drinking very greatly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. That includes congestive heart failure, heart attack, angina, and many others.
Alcohol abstainers who begin drinking in moderation also enjoy a reduced risk of heart disease.
Heart disease is the major cause of death in Western societies. This is a major reason drinking alcohol is good for health. And for long life.
Cardiovascular Health Improved by Drinking over Government Guidelines.
2. Survivilability of Heart Attacks
Moderate drinking also increases the survivability of heart attacks. Many studies show that drinkers are much more more likely to escape death from a heart attack. Also, a large study was made of over 88,000 men. Those who had two to four drinks per day after a heart heart attack more than doubled their chance of survival.
Heart Attack Survival Increased by Drinking Alcohol.
3. Stroke
Moderate drinking reduces the risk of stroke. Stroke is the major cause of disability in the U.S. And it’s the fifth largest cause of death in the country. Each year about 800,000 people suffer a stroke.
Spence, J. How to Prevent Your Stroke.
4. Type 2 Diabetes
Moderate drinking lowers the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. That is, adult onset diabetes. The disease can lead to problems such as blindness, loss of limbs, impotence, and death.
Drinking alcohol and type 2 diabetes.
5. Alzheimer’s and Other Causes of Dementia
Moderate drinking reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s. It’s a major cause of dementia. Such drinking helps people maintain their memory and their ability to think clearly.
Dementia causes high health care costs. It’s also an emotional burden on families. And it destroys the quality of life of patients.
6. Arthritis
Drinking sensibly reduces the risk of arthritis. We think of arthritis in connection with our joints. Yet the inflammation of arthritis can cause problems throughout the entire body. That includes the heart, eyes, lungs, skin, blood vessels, blood, bones, and mouth.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk: Drinking Alcohol Beneficial.
7. Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
Moderate drinking reduces the risk of enlarged prostate. That is, benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH. Few men have BPH symptoms before age 40. But over half do by their late sixties. And by their seventies and eighties, about 90% do. BPH isn’t life-threatening, but it can have a negative impact on lifestyle.
Drinking Alcohol Reduces Risk of Enlarged Prostate.
8. Osteoporosis
Drinking in moderation reduces the chances of forming osteoporosis. We often think of osteoporosis as a serious problem for women. But it also effects men as well. And for both, it’s a common cause of broken bones. Osteoporosis tends to cause disability among older adults. A broken hip generally leads to a downward spiral of health problems. This leads to death in about half its victims.
Risk of Osteoporosis and Drinking Alcohol.
9. Gallbladder Disease and Gallstones
Consuming alcohol in moderation reduces the risk gallbladder disease. Also the risk of gallstones. Gallbladder dsease is a common cause of emergency room visits.
Drinking Alcohol and Gallstone & Gallbladder Disease Risk.
10. Kidney Cancer
Moderate drinking reduces the risk of kidney cancer. It’s one of the ten most common cancers. Doctors diagnose about 50,000 new cases of kidney cancer each year in the U.S. alone. It’s a major cause of death around the world.
Drinking Alcohol Reduces Kidney Cancer Risk.
Campbell, S., et al. 100 Questions & Answers about Kidney Cancer.
11. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Drinking moderately reduces the chances of forming non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The lymph system is part of the immune system. It helps fight infections and some diseases. The cancer can spread throughout the the lymph system if not successfully treated. It can then spread to the liver, brain, bone marrow, or other parts of the body.
Alcohol and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
12. Hodgkin Lymphoma
Moderate drinking reduces the chances of Hodgkin disese. As noted above, the lymph system is part of the immune system. It fights infections and some diseases. If doctors can’t successfully treat the cancer, it can spread to the entire lymph system. The lymph system is widely spread throughout the body.
Hodgkin disease starts most often in lymph nodes. Usually in the upper part of the body. The most common places are in the chest, neck, or under the arms.
13. Thyroid Cancer
Consuming alcohol in moderation reduces the risk thyroid cancer. This cancer is the 8th most common in the U.S. It’s also common throughout the world.
Thyroid Cancer Reduced by Drinking Alcohol.
14. Peripheral Arterial Disease
Moderate drinking reduces the risk of peripheral arterial disease or PAD. This disease is a major cause of death among the elderly. It’s caused by fatty deposits (plaque) in arteries supplying blood to the arms and legs. Early treatment reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Facts about Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD.
15. Misc. Facts to consider
It’s important to consider relative risks. For example, cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills about half of all women. Moderate drinking reduces this greatly. Breast cancer kills about five percent of women. Moderate drinking increases this risk somewhat.
Research suggests that no alcohol type is more effective. That is, beer, wine, or distilled spirits (liquor). The major health benefit is in the alcohol itself. And standard drinks of beer, wine and spirits contain the same amount of pure alcohol. It’s 6/10ths of an ounce.
Drinking guidelines differ widely from country to country. That’s because they’re not based on science. They’re based largely on culture, beliefs, and traditions.
These are 14 ways drinking alcohol is healthy. There are many more. Explore at Alcohol and Health.