Small Amount of Alcohol is Beneficial ?

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A number of people believe this fact that small amount of alcohol on regular basis is beneficial for health. But is it really so ? Or is it a misconception widely spread among the population, especially among those who like moderate drinking. Those who like drinking always believe that small amount is always better and they spread such research results to their friends without reading the research paper or checking the genuineness of the research.

To make you better understand this thing we will discuss the RCT technique used in various researches, who is doing these researches, the role of alcohol market and then the real truth.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Let me explain the quality and design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), which is considered one of the highest quality study designs in medical research.

In a RCT, participants are randomly assigned to one of two or more groups, such as a treatment group or a control group. The treatment group receives the intervention being studied (e.g. moderate alcohol consumption), while the control group receives a placebo or no intervention.

Randomized controlled trials can provide valuable insights into the effects of an intervention, but they also have some limitations. For example, RCTs may not be representative of real-world populations, as participants in RCTs are typically carefully selected and may not reflect the diversity of people who would use the intervention in the general population. There is no way to find if the participant different control groups have same lifestyle or not. For example if one control group is more physically active than obviously it will affect the result of the study.

Who is doing the study ?

A major number of scientific studies are done in European region. In many European cultures, moderate alcohol consumption is widely accepted and can be considered a normal part of social and cultural life. For example, wine is an integral part of many traditional European cuisines, and drinking wine with meals is a common practice in many countries. In addition, beer and spirits are also commonly consumed in many European cultures, and are often associated with social and cultural events.

So scientific studies about alcohol consumption done in European region might have some biased results, as some researches would not like to present one of their favorite part of meal as a health hazard. 

Alcohol Market is the Key

The global alcohol market was valued at approximately $1.5 trillion in 2018. In terms of regional market share, Europe and North America are the largest markets for alcoholic beverages, followed by Asia-Pacific and Latin America. In many countries, the alcohol industry is a major source of employment, providing jobs for people in a range of positions, from production and distribution to marketing and sales. The industry also generates indirect jobs in related sectors, such as agriculture, packaging, and hospitality.

It is possible that the alcohol industry funds research to promote the idea that moderate alcohol consumption is good for health. The alcohol industry has a financial interest in promoting the positive aspects of alcohol consumption, as this can increase sales and profit.

Diseases due to Moderate Alcohol Consumption

The World Health Organization (WHO) and many health organizations do not recommend any alcohol consumption due to the risks associated with alcohol.

It is important to note that moderate alcohol consumption carries a risk of several health problems, including:

  • Cancer: Moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
  • Liver disease: Moderate alcohol consumption can lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver, which can increase the risk of liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
  • Cardiovascular disease: While some studies have suggested that moderate drinking may have a protective effect on the heart, other studies have found no significant benefit, and some have found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease with even low to moderate alcohol consumption.
  • Accidents and injuries: Moderate drinking has been associated with an increased risk of accidents and injuries, such as falls, motor vehicle crashes, and drowning.
  • Mental health problems: Moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
  • Alcohol dependence: Regular alcohol consumption, even at moderate levels, can lead to the development of alcohol dependence.
Consuming alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including:
  • Mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colorectal, and breast cancer.
  • The risk of developing these cancers increases with the amount of alcohol consumed and the length of time over which it is consumed.
  • Alcohol consumption has been estimated to cause about 5% of all cancers globally, and about 3.6% of all cancer deaths.

Additionally, alcohol can interact with many medications, and excessive drinking can lead to addiction, violence, and other social problems.

Reference: 

  • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
  • https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/moderate-drinking.htm
  • https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31310-2/fulltext
  • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-amount-of-alcohol-is-safe-for-drinking-warns-who/articleshow/96923636.cms
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551

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