Alcohol has no health benefits

Question

New research found that more than 100 previous studies on alcohol consumption and health were flawed. - Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com

Are there zero health benefits to drinking alcohol in any amount?

Comments

I think this can be true and false. Multiple studies have shown that beer has many more calories than other types of liquor. If you want to drink without gaining the beer belly, stick to the clear liquors.

Answer 1

I believe this claim is true and false to a certain extent.

When researching this claim, I found an article from TIME that talks about the fact that was brought up in the original source linked, about how "New research found that more than 100 previous studies on alcohol consumption and health were flawed." TIME goes further and says, "The new research was based on a review of nearly 700 existing studies on global drinking prevalence and nearly 600 studies on alcohol and health, and found that alcohol was the seventh leading risk factor for premature death in 2016, contributing to 2.8 million deaths worldwide. That number is equivalent to 2.2% of all female deaths and 6.8% of all male deaths that year, according to the study." 

TIME

According to an article from Harvard, "It’s safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones." Harvard makes it apparent that the negative effects come from heavy drinking and/or drinking frequently. It continues on to say the effects of heavy drinking, "Heavy drinking can take a toll on the body. It can cause inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis) and lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), a potentially fatal disease. It can increase blood pressure and damage heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)." Therefore, drinking high or frequent amounts of alcohol intake is not good for the body. 

HARVARD

According to the Mayo Clinic, moderate drinking is defined as "...up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men." It then continues on to list health benefits of MODERATE drinking, "Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease, Possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow), Possibly reducing your risk of diabetes." However, the article does not want to make it seem like moderate drinking is the best decision for your health as "...even moderate alcohol use isn't risk-free. For example, even light drinkers (those who have no more than one drink a day) have a tiny, but real, increased risk of some cancers, such as esophageal cancer."

MAYO CLINIC

Therefore, this claim is both true and false depending on the extent of what drinking is for an individual. There are proven health benefits but also negative effects from drinking alcohol MODERATELY. And there are also a lot of negative effects for people who drink frequently and heavily. 

Comments

I think you did a good job in answering the claim. Although an easy answer would be to say overall alcohol is not healthy and has little to no health benefits I think you did well in providing sources for both sides.

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This was a very well rounded and organized factcheck, however the evidence you presented makes me think the claim is true based on the risks coming from moderate drinking.  Perhaps the claim can even be filed as too broad because some alcohols are 'more healthy' than other types of alcohol, i.e. the health benefits of a glass of red wine a day.  All in all, alcohol usage is similar to other vices and hobbies where the danger lies in excess.

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To counter the charge, I think you made a respectable case. While it could be more convenient to say that alcohol in any form is harmful and has no health benefits, this is not the reality. To my mind, you fairly presented the opposing viewpoints by citing relevant literature.

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Thank you for the thorough explanation of the whole issue, delving into both sides of the topic!

Answer 2

There is a thin line on this question. To simply answer your question, Alcohol itself can exhibit positive health benefits. However, it will only provide benefits as long as you drink in little to moderate portions. According to the Harvard School of Public Health,

"It’s safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones. Heavy drinking is a major cause of preventable death in most countries. In the U.S., alcohol is implicated in about half of fatal traffic accidents. [1] Heavy drinking can damage the liver and heart, harm an unborn child, increase the chances of developing breast and some other cancers, contribute to depression and violence, and interfere with relationships."

In short, if you have infrequent and moderate portions of drinking, it can exhibit positive health effects on you. However, if you drink too much or undergo substance abuse, it will have negative effects on you.

Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/drinks-to-consume-in-moderation/alcohol-full-story/

Comments

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551#:~:text=Moderate%20alcohol%20consumption%20may%20provide,reducing%20your%20risk%20of%20diabetes.

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Your response provides a well-researched analysis of the potential health effects of alcohol, highlighting the importance of moderation and responsible reporting with credible sources.

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You provided a well thought out response to the original claim of alcohol having no health benefits. Using Harvard as a source was a good and credible choice. The quote that was used supports your thoughts on the fact check and backs up your response to the claim.

Answer 3

Alcohol has to be portioned into small amounts so the benefits can become evident. 

According to Mayo Clinic, drinking alcohol moderately " isn't risk-free. For example, even light drinkers (those who have no more than one drink a day) have a tiny, but real, increased risk of some cancers, such as esophageal cancer. "

This quote shows that moderate drinking has some risks so eating healthy and exercising is the formula for being healthy. 

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art - 20044551#:~:text=Moderate%20alcohol%20consumption%20may%20provide,reducing%20your%20risk%20of%20diabetes. 

Answer 4

According to an article by the World Health Organization, "It is the alcohol that causes harm, not the beverage." The article also mentions how it does not matter whether someone drinks a lot or a little bit, the risk starts with the first drop of alcohol.

https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

Answer 5

According to the CDC, past studies may have implied that alcohol in moderation has health benefits. In recent years though, this has been being disproved. The previous' studies findings are being attributed to genetics.

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/moderate-drinking.htm

Answer 6

There are some health benefits to mild alcohol consumption, according to the Mayo Clinic. These benefits include:

- Reducing your risk of developing and dying from heart disease

- Possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke

- Possible reducing your risk of diabetes.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551#:~:text=Moderate%20alcohol%20consumption%20may%20provide,reducing%20your%20risk%20of%20diabetes

Answer 7

In order for alcohol to have a benefit would be to have it small, moderated consumption. Some benefits according to the Mayo Clinic is, "Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease, reducing your risk of ischemic stroke, as well a reducing your risk of diabetes." Harvard, WebMD, and the National Library of Medicine also confirm the same thing. Mainly all mention health benefits from moderate consumption of alcohol is help with cardiovascular disease. Though if you drink more than what's considered a safe amount, the risks start to outweigh the benefits. So it's a pretty thin line of what's considered beneficial and not.

MAYO - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551#:~:text=Moderate%20alcohol%20consumption%20may%20provide,reducing%20your%20risk%20of%20diabetes

HARVARD - https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/drinks-to-consume-in-moderation/alcohol-full-story/#possible_health_benefits

WEBMD - https://www.webmd.com/diet/alcohol-health-benefits

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6713002/

Answer 8

This statement is based on the method of source you consume—several articles back this statement up, but some articles prove this statement wrong. For example, I found an article titled "No Level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health." The article talks about the risks and harms associated with drinking alcohol and how it has been systematically evaluated over the years and is documented. This article describes alcohol as toxic, psychoactive, and a dependence-producing substance. A quote from the article says, "The risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed." As mentioned before, this article is clearly against alcohol consumption and is perfect for backing up this statement.

https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

Now let's look at a different article titled "Surprising ways alcohol may be good for you," which finds something good from drinking it. This article emphasizes the need to know your limits, "Alcohol is only healthy in smaller amounts- about 1 drink a day for women and 2 for men" While this article discusses the good things alcohol might have, it also mentions that drinking more than the risks of the average increase. It can also help your heart by being less likely to have a heart attack by 24% to 40%. They mention that alcohol gets you more active, and moderate drinkers are more likely to exercise than people who don't drink. It also prevents kidney stones, makes you more social, gives your sex life a boost, helps your brain by making you less likely to get Alzheimer's disease, and to balance your blood sugar. This article heavily implies that these benefits are only for moderate drinkers, and it is important to know your limits.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-alcohol-health-benefits#:~:text=If%20you're%20in%20good,your%20risk%20of%20heart%20disease.

Overall, this statement can be considered an opinion. People read what they find interesting and believe what is convenient to them. Someone who doesn't drink is more likely to read the first article than someone who drinks. Someone that drinks regularly is more likely to use the reasons the second article listed as excuses for drinking.

Answer 9

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551

As others have stated in this post there is definitely a line between alcohol being a health benefit and harmful to the body. According to the mayo clinic, they make it is clear that being moderate in your consumption aid in the health benefits and they are usually small and vary from person to person. "Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease, possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow), possibly reducing your risk of diabetes." This shows that the health benefits are slim and as I stated before varying from person to person.

Answer 10

This is not quite accurate. Although drinking alcohol in large amounts regularly can be quite negative on ones health, WebMD states that very small amounts may have some benefits. The article states that there is "no proof that alcohol actually causes better health", yet experts do think there are some benefits to light alcohol consumption. Light alcohol consumption is considered to be up to one drink for women per day and two drinks per day for men.

Some of the potential benefits of specifically red wine include fighting free radicals in the body, which helps the heart, makes ischemic stroke less likely, and could help lower cholesterol.

On the flip side, alcohol has an array of possible harmful side effects when consumed in large amounts regularly. Some of which include memory issues, depression, anxiety, heart disease, and liver complications.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/alcohol-health-benefits