Alcohol is good for health when consumed in moderation. For example, it reduces the risk of developing many diseases and health problems. Not only is alcohol good for health, but it also promotes longer life. Those who drink in moderation tend to have better health and live longer. That’s in comparison with those who abstain from alcohol and with those who abuse it.

Alcohol is Good for Health

In addition, frequent drinkers tend to enjoy better health and longevity than those who drink less frequently.

Research suggests that no particular alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, or distilled spirits) is more effective. The major health benefit is in the alcohol itself. And standard servings of beer, wine and spirits contain the same amount of pure alcohol. It’s 6/10ths of an ounce.

Guidelines for moderate drinking differ widely from country to country. That’s because they’re not based on science. They’re based largely on culture, beliefs, and traditions.

It’s important to consider relative risks. For example, cardiovascular disease 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.

It’s wise to discuss any alcohol and health concerns with your doctor. They knows your health history and that of your family.

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.

Heart disease.

2. Survivilability of Heart Attacks

Drinking in moderation 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

Sensible 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.

Stroke.

Spence, J. How to Prevent Your Stroke. Nashville: Vanderbilt U Press, 2006.

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. Drinking in moderation 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.

Alcohol and Dementia.

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 large 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. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett, 2016.

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 indicated 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.

What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?

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.

Summary: Alcohol is Good for Health

These are 14 ways drinking alcohol is good for health. There are many more. Explore at Alcohol and Health.