Many people believe that heavy or problem drinking1 leads to alcoholism or alcohol dependence.2 Researchers tested this idea. They found that most heavy drinkers consume less alcohol over time. First, researchers identified problem drinkers through random-digit-dial telephone screening northern California. Then they made in-person interviews with 672 people. The mean age of the sample was 35 …
Drinking alcohol and traumatic injury deaths. Does alcohol improve survival? Evidence strongly suggests that alcohol reduces death from traumatic injury. The reason may be that alcohol reduces damaging inflamation. Most research finds that a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) helps patients survive traumatic injury. And this is true for both traumatic brain injury patients and …
Beverage alcohol nutrition labels are needed. They should include not only calories but also other information. That includes fats, cholesterol, and sodium or salt. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) proposes nutrition labels on alcoholic beverages. Its proposal is a good one but doesn’t go far enough. It only calls for labeling the …
The policy of the Center for Science in the Public Interest or CSPI on drinking and smoking is strange. The CSPI attacks drinking in moderation but completely ignores the great dangers of smoking. Scientific medical research clearly shows that light to moderate drinking is associated with better health and longevity than abstaining. Drinking in moderation …
Alcoholic beverage consumption in the U.S. has declined over time. For example, the per capita consumption of alcohol by Americans age 14 and older has been declining. In fact, it dropped from 2.76 gallons over a recent 33 year period.1 Race and Ethnicity Alcoholic beverage consumption also varies by race and ethnicity. There are four …
There is a general correlation between drinking alcohol and domestic abuse. That is, violence toward a spouse or partner. Specifically, they often occur together. But does drinking actually cause abuse in a relationship? Researchers and other experts warn against jumping to the conclusion that it does. It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming …
Our body produces alcohol naturally. It doe so throughout our lives. And we don’t wait until age 21 in the US to make our own alcohol. Also it doesn’t matter what our religion teaches about alcohol. We still produce it. This process is endogenous ethanol production. It occurs 24 hours a day, seven days per …
The effects of bogus intoxication surprise people. Bogus or sham intoxication has real effects on people and their actions. Specifically, people who falsely believe that they have been consuming alcohol tend to act like people who have actually been drinking. Conversely, people who don’t realize that they have been consuming alcohol tend to act like …
Are alcohol ads and underage drinking related? Can reducing or eliminating alcohol ads on TV reduce underage drinking? Simple solutions to complex issues are always temping. Unfortunately, news reports can mislead if they don’t accurately summarize research findings. Misleading Reporting In reporting the findings of a study1 on the subject, the New York Times failed to …
Taxes on alcohol beverages are often called “sin taxes.” Perhaps that’s a justification for raising them. The news is full of debates about increasing so-called . But what’s sinful about alcoholic beverages? Absolutely nothing. Saint Thomas Aquinas said that no substance is sinful, “but only the misuse of it that makes it so.” Healthful Drinking …
