Drinking alcohol is associated with various health risks (short and long term) such as violence, motor vehicle crashes,
accidents, liver disease, depression, high blood pressure, sexual risk behaviors, obesity, breast cancer, stroke, suicide and alcoholism.
Increased alcohol consumption is directly linked to an increase in these health risks. Also, the risk is higher in drinkers with health conditions such as cancer.
“The health effects of drinking have been described as a double-edged sword because of its clear ability to cut deeply in both directions – harmful or beneficial, depending on how it is consumed. . Previous studies have focused on how much people drink and have had mixed results. Very few studies have focused on other details about drinking, such as the duration of alcohol consumption, ” Study author Hao Ma, MD, PhD, a biostatistical analyst at the Tulane University Obesity Research Center in New Orleans.
Benefits of alcohol in diabetes
In contrast, new research shows that drink alcoholic beverages in moderation (for those who consume alcohol regularly) can help achieve health benefits.
Alcohol in moderation Help!
The study evaluated 312,388 people (mean age 56 years) over 11 years from the UK Biobank with a self-reported history of being a frequent drinker.
At the time of admission, study participants with no comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer.
It is seen that drink alcohol in moderation (namely wine) (less than 28 grams or 300 ml per day for men and 14 grams or 150 ml per day for women) with Meals linked to 14% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (although the specific time of the meal was not recorded).
However, the same result is Not suitable for drinking alone (meal not included).
Among the study participants, nearly 8,598 adults had type 2 diabetes. In addition, high alcohol or beer consumption was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Weigh your risks and benefits
The study highlights the benefit of moderate wine consumption with meals in preventing type 2 diabetes, provided the people do not have other health conditions.
It is speculated that Flavonoids and other antioxidants in wine but not alcohol may be potential factors in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes (new-onset), as they help the body fight the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals.
However, additional findings are needed to decipher the underlying mechanisms and overcome the limitations of the study (self-reported alcohol history and narrowed population).
Therefore, for people who drink alcohol regularly, they should discuss risks and benefits of moderate drinking.
More than that, people who don’t drink shouldn’t start drinking by reviewing the results of studies according to the American Heart Association and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Authority to solve:
- Research shows that drinking wine with meals is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes – (https://newsroom.heart.org/news/study-finds-drinking-wine-with-meals-was-associated-with-lower-risk-of-type-2-diabetes)
Source: Medindia
