Posted on 01/20/2022 3:39:08 PM PST by nickcarraway
Any level of drinking can lead to loss of healthy life, the World Heart Federation has said, as it sought to dispel the idea that a daily glass of wine may be good for you.
In a new policy briefing, the organisation said it wanted to “challenge the widespread notion” that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can decrease the risk of heart disease and called for urgent action to tackle the global rise in deaths caused by drinking.
Monika Arora, member of WHF’s advocacy committee and co-author of the briefing, said: “The portrayal of alcohol as necessary for a vibrant social life has diverted attention from the harms of alcohol use, as have the frequent and widely publicised claims that moderate drinking, such as a glass of red wine a day, can offer protection against cardiovascular disease.
“These claims are at best misinformed and at worst an attempt by the alcohol industry to mislead the public about the danger of their product.” It comes after the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned earlier this week that millions of Britons are causing themselves “silent harm” through hazardous drinking.
Professor Julia Sinclair, chair of the addictions faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the switch to drinking at home was partly to blame for the rise, with drinking sessions sometimes lasting several hours longer than they would in a pub.
According to the new briefing from the World Heart Federation, more than 2.4 million people died worldwide because of alcohol in 2019.
This is equivalent to 4.3% of all deaths globally and 12.6% of deaths in men aged 15 to 49, it said.
The federation, which is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), said alcohol is a “psychoactive and harmful substance that can cause significant damage to the human body”.
It said that drinking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, digestive diseases and injury.
“The evidence is clear: any level of alcohol consumption can lead to loss of healthy life,” it said.
“Studies have shown that even small amounts of alcohol can increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary disease, stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), and aneurysm.
“Studies that claim otherwise are based on purely observational research, which fails to account for other factors, such as pre-existing conditions and a history of alcoholism in those considered to be ‘abstinent’.
“To date, no reliable correlation has been found between moderate alcohol consumption and a lower risk of heart disease.” Matt Lambert, chief executive of the Portman Group, which receives funding from the drinks industry and has firms signed up to its code of practice, said: “It is important not to exaggerate the risk of moderate drinking and unduly alarm responsible consumers who are more than able to make informed decisions and enjoy alcohol sensibly if they chose to do so.
“Responsible drinking forms part of a balanced lifestyle for the moderate majority, the four in five adults drinking within the chief medical officer’s 14 unit a week low-risk guidelines or not drinking at all.
“We continue to review the studies with interest, and there is a body of evidence suggesting a low level of risk for low-to-moderate drinkers.
“However, we recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different and for some people there is no safe level of drinking, we therefore encourage consumers to take a sensible and measured approach to risk.
“Through the Portman Group Code of Practice we have ensured that for over 25 years alcohol producers do not make health claims in its their marketing and packaging.”
I make really sure. 4-6 but instead of wine, I go for vodka, gin or whiskey. I don’t like beer. It will kill you 😉
I have heard that alcoholics may have all sorts of health issues, but they have clean arteries.
They want people on marijuana and opiods.
I’ll drink to that 😉
I go out with friends to wine bars and restaurants a couple of times a week.
I’ve noticed this January everywhere is REALLY empty. I think it’s a combo of omicron fears (I’m in fearful CA) and “Dry Januaries” that people like to do now—no drinking in Jan.
I opt to not participate in dry Jans—life is short! But yes, everything in moderation.
I drink for the health of the person who is getting on my nerves.
I can see that you are a selfless man, much as myself.
We live for others. We sacrifice ourselves for the good of those around us.
Stress is a big killer and there’s a school of thought that the stress relief from a glass of wine at the end of the day is a big factor.
I Tim. 5:23: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
***literally changes direction more than the wind!***
Depends on which way the money(er, that is wind) blows. Toward you or away from you.
More than I can remember. The same with the new Ice Age, Ozone depletion, Population Bomb, Alacar Scare, and many more that didn't pan out. I don't believe any longer there are experts in any science field. I believe they now exist to create scary scenarios to continue their grants.
The biggest disappointment has been the medical community. They used to live by high moral standards, not so much now with this Wuhan Flu. I would never have thought that profits would supersede proven therapeutics, and the Vaxx proponents are still ignoring many proven studies. Now Fauxi is pushing Pfizer on our children. I'm too old to be a revolutionary, but where are the younger men to defend our children?
I’m 83, and on my 39th birthday:!
I stopped associating with:
Liberals.
Family members, so called friends who were negative and hostile?
Anyone, who was a back stabber. Drunks and abusive people.
I stopped drinking hard liquor and beer.
Wine became my once a day and one drink/glass at dinner time.
By the time I had turned forty, the above became my SOP!
Also, “All things in moderation was/is a prime operative!”
“Moderation in all things!”
The key to success, health, etc., is not doing, having, or consuming too much of a certain thing.
Red wine, dark chocolate, and coffee are often said to be beneficial to health—but always in small quantities. Again, Moderation in all things.
It seems to have worked.
“Sounds like a bit of a Gordian conundrum knot....”
Maybe for you.
Best,
L
Man lived to be 90 years old despite sipping wine at breakfast (and that was only the start). He got a lot done though.
Keith Richards might surpass him but he's got 12 years to go. Will he make it?
Medicine is not “science”. It is practice. It has some workable technology. But no medical treatment works 100% on everybody. Science is based on repeatable experimental results. A fulcrum works the same way every time. Acids and Bases react the same way every time.
Medicine has no such features. It is not science at all. It is an art with some workable techniques. That is all.
Moderation and self-control is the rule. Drinking alcohol in itself is not a sin. Drinking to the point of drunkenness is sin. It is also sin by Paul's teachings to drink around someone who has Christian convictions against it or someone whom it might mislead.
I do find it ironic psychiatrist would object when they pass out antidepressants like candy many times without any patient education as to potentials for some rather nasty and even hallucinations as known side effects.
I have seen any number of people kill the joy of their host by proclaiming they are "on a diet" and not going to eat any of the lovingly and painstakingly prepared dishes or drinks.
If you are moderate 95% of the time you can indulge in things, even to excess, without doing any damage.
If you are allergic or have an actual problem with alcohol that is a different thing but you can always go back on your diet tomorrow.
Ten million Frenchmen grit their teeth...
How bout you drink it at night? Followed by tumbler of brandy?
If consumption of alcohol was so deadly the human race would have become extinct about 5 millennia ago.
It is postulated by archeologist that the invention of beer led to the rise of civilization, the explosion of human population and a human lifespan beyond the age of 30.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.