Click to be added or removed.Ping.
Posted on 05/01/2005 10:47:07 PM PDT by FairOpinion
Drinking alcohol boosts the growth of new nerve cells in the brain, research suggests. But while this might sound good in theory, the Swedish team believe these new cells could contribute to the development of alcohol dependence.
Mice fed moderate quantities of alcohol grew extra brain cells, but also showed a preference for alcohol over water.
The Karolinska Institute research appears in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Brain growth
Lead researcher Professor Stefan Brene said: "We believe that the increased production of new nerve cells during moderate alcohol consumption can be important for the development of alcohol addiction and other long-term effects of alcohol on the brain."
Alternatively, the extra cells might help with learning and memory, he said.
Another theory, according to the researchers, is that the tranquilising effect of alcohol triggers the growth.
All of the new cells developed normally.
A spokeswoman from the Campaign for Real Ale said: "It is well known that alcohol in moderation is good for your body so it's no surprise it's also good for your mind.
"Maybe that is why lots of pub quiz teams are so bright."
A spokeswoman from Alcohol Concern said: "This type of study could prove useful in the long term to shed light on the relationship between alcohol intake and dependency.
"However, very little can be drawn from a single animal-based study at this stage.
"Much more research is needed to explore the relationship between drinking patterns and their effect on the human brain."
Next: The cheeseburger and pizza weight loss plan!
The operative phrase is moderation.
Experiments have shown that alcohol reduces heart attacks and strokes, makes your blood vessels more pliable, etc.
A lot of things, in fact pretty much all medications, which are good for you in small quantities nad moderation, are harmful in large quantities.
Alcohol also reduces cholesterol ( the bad kind) and increases good cholesterol.
Time to change my handle from PV77 to Einstein ;)
So I'm actually a genius?
Healthy Einstein, actually.
From the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=SC00024
Alcohol and your health: Weighing the pros and cons
By Mayo Clinic staff
For every news story you read about the benefits of alcohol, another seems to warn you of the risks. The conflicting information can be confusing and frustrating.
Though it's unclear whether alcohol's health benefits outweigh its risks, what is certain is that anything more than moderate drinking — two drinks a day if you're a man or one drink a day if you're a woman — can negate any benefits alcohol has on your body.
So should you avoid alcohol? Or can you continue to enjoy your glass of wine with dinner? It's up to you and your doctor. Here are some points for you to consider.
Pros
Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits. It can:
Reduce your risk of developing heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and intermittent claudication
Reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack
Reduce your risk of strokes, particularly ischemic strokes
Lower your risk of gallstones
Possibly reduce your risk of diabetes
Cons
Excess alcohol consumption can lead to serious health problems, such as:
Cancer, such as gastrointestinal, oral, pharynx, larynx, esophageal and liver cancers, as well as breast cancer in women
Chronic pancreatitis, especially in people with high levels of triglycerides in their blood
Elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood
High blood pressure
Miscarriage
Injuries due to impaired motor skills
Sudden death in people with cardiovascular disease
Heart failure
Stroke
Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver
Fetal alcohol syndrome in an unborn child, including slow growth and nervous system problems
Suicide
Today, I was increasing my mental capacity through the imbibement of Primitivo (Zinfandel to those on our side of the Atlantic) from Puglia.
Wow, I've literally seen it all....a wine ping list on FR!!!
It's just more evidence that alcohol makes you smart, or that smart people drink wine (and other drinks) IN MODERATION ONLY, of course. ( and only when they don't drive)
Hold muh beer!
No... on second thought... gimme yers!
So THAT'S what happend to Steven Hawking!
(Can't duck fast enough)
I couldn't care less what people want to do regarding alcholol. But the message of the article is a bit like saying "Shooting yourself in the face clears your nasal passages." Well, okay, but this is a bit of information in a vacuum, isn't it? It's not like one can't get these benefits without drinking alcohol.
Alright rack itt LOLOL!
I hear it is wine that good for heart and blood color when I have my physical last year the nurse ask me do you drink Red Wine I told her yes she told me that ROFL
Uh Ohh !
I am not advocating that people run off and start drinking alcohol, that's why I posted the Mayo clinic's pro and con.
But at the same time alcohol isn't something "evil", that you mustn't even have a single drop, as some people claim.
There are a lot of people who indeed shouldn't drink a drop for various reasons, particular health conditions, or medications they are taking, or have alcoholic tendencies.
But for many people, having an occasional drink is fine. The anti-alcohol people went overboard scaring people with all the terrible effects alcohol has, and made it sounds, as if even a drink every now and then is the same, as if someone drank excessively.
The point is that there is a huge difference between drinking occasionally and excessively. Occasional drinking doesn't seem to be harmful for most people, it may even be beneficial.
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