Light to Moderate Drinking Can Have Health Benefits

Light to Moderate Drinking Can Have Health Benefits

A study of over 330,000 people aged 18 or over has shown that light to moderate drinkers can live longer than those who have never had alcohol. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology the study also reconfirmed the cardiovascular protective effective associated with light to moderate drinking and a reduced incidence of some cancers.

“The researchers found that so-called ‘all-cause mortality’ for people who drank sensibly was measurably reduced compared with those who had never had a drink,” said Spirits New Zealand Chief Executive, Robert Brewer.

“Light or moderate drinkers’ overall mortality risk dropped by 21 and 22 percent respectively and there was also a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (26 and 29 percent) and cancer (14 and 13 percent) compared with lifetime abstainers.

“However, the study also found what most of us already know - heavy drinking is not good for you with heavy and binge drinkers having an increased risk of all-cause (11 and 13 percent) and cancer mortality (27 and 22 percent).”

Mr Brewer said the study reconfirms other research that supports the protective effects of light to moderate drinking.

“But the cautionary message about drinking too much is just as clear and people who are unsure of the impact of drinking on their health should stop drinking and seek advice from their doctor,” said Mr Brewer.

“Drinking safely and sociably can be part of a healthy normal lifestyle – with the critical thing being understanding what ‘moderate drinking’ actually means.

“The Ministry of Health’s drinking guidelines are very clear in this regard and reflect current research – no more than three standard drinks a day for men and two for women a week and two days of no drinking. Drink more than this then, over time, the health benefits you might have accrued are reversed.”

And Mr Brewer says if consumers wanted more information on standard drinks then they should visit www.cheers.org.nz which has easy to understand information on this and how to stay safe and social when drinking.

“As always, to be healthy we should eat well, stay active and – if we choose to drink – drink lightly or moderately.”

Notes:

1. The study referred to in this statement is: Xi, B., Veeranki, S. P., Zhao, M., et al. (2017). Relationship of Alcohol Consumption to All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer-Related Mortality in U.S. Adults. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.06.054. Here’s a link to an abstract - http://www.onlinejacc.org/content/70/8/913

2. Cheers.org.nz is the official website of Cheers! – a joint industry-funded charity established in 2012 with the objective of helping to create a moderate drinking culture by providing the facts, tools and experiences drinkers need to stay safe and sociable when they’re drinking. Cheers! is funded by the Brewers Association, Spirits New Zealand and New Zealand Winegrowers.

ENDS

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