Alcohol in Moderation

A number of studies have linked regular drinking to a higher risk of breast cancer; it’s thought that the risk reflects the effects of alcohol on women’s levels of estrogen and other hormones. Similarly, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause has been shown to raise the risk of breast cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether beginning to drink moderately in middle age results in lower cardiovascular risk. After 4 years of follow up, new moderate drinkers had a 38% lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

The authors conclude that consistent moderate drinkers had the best health even after adjustment for having a chronic condition, depression and life-style factors. Poorer health was associated with decreased alcohol intake among occasional and moderate drinkers.

How much and how often people drink, not just the average amount of alcohol they consume over time, independently influence the risk of death from several causes, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Experts emphasize that a better understanding of the potential risks and benefits of drinking will reinforce the sensible and responsible consumption of the individual and the public at large. This document is intended to reinforce the importance of sensible consumption for those who choose to drink by giving an overview on some of the most prominent authoritative statements from around the globe.