one drink a night?

[Icey101]

so i was watching one of those talk feast morning shows,they were saying one drink a day is good for you and will make you live longer??? and its not just red wine, its the alcohol in one drink, no more then one drink. Ok so if this is true and lets say its good for the heart, what about the brain, liver, throat and stomach and cancers associated?? There must be other risks with constant booze input i am sure.

[jmattbassplaya]

I read an article on that not too long ago. While I can't remember exactly what was said, I definitely left the article with an understanding that there were more potential risks than benefits.

[scottfeldstein]

I definitely read in more than one reputable place that two drinks a day (1 for women) reduced the risk of death by 30%--by any cause. As far as your brain goes, there's some preliminary evidence to indicate it might actually have a protective effect against Alzheimer's.

Drink up, I say. Responsibly, of course.

Unless limiting oneself to 2 a day is problematic, as it is for many. Then it's surely best not to have it at all.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

I definitely read in more than one reputable place that two drinks a day (1 for women) reduced the risk of death by 30%--by any cause. As far as your brain goes, there's some preliminary evidence to indicate it might actually have a protective effect against Alzheimer's.

Drink up, I say. Responsibly, of course.

Unless limiting oneself to 2 a day is problematic, as it is for many. Then it's surely best not to have it at all.

And sure enough the post following mine says the exact opposite Personally, I'll take any excuse to drink more

[Atoz]

One drink a night... I've been doing that for years out of a 64 ounce tumbler.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by Atoz

One drink a night... I've been doing that for years out of a 64 ounce tumbler.

Vitamin V, there's nothin' better for ya!

But seriously. There's quite good evidence that moderate drinking is excellent for your health and longevity. You might think that you could do more for yourself by exercising and eating right, but that turns out to be wrong. As lifestyle changes go, moderate drinking beats everything except quitting smoking.

I correct myself, though. I said moderate drinking decreases your risk of death from any cause by 30%. A quick perusal of some google results indicates that it's 21-28%.

[Darnell Jones]

Red wine researcher Dr. Dipak K. Das published fake data

[scottfeldstein]

Interesting, but it does not negate what I've been writing above. There are studies from other universities, even ones in other countries, which all come to the same conclusions. It's a pretty well-researched question and one fraud doesn't change it.

[Atoz]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Vitamin V, there's nothin' better for ya!

But seriously. There's quite good evidence that moderate drinking is excellent for your health and longevity. You might think that you could do more for yourself by exercising and eating right, but that turns out to be wrong. As lifestyle changes go, moderate drinking beats everything except quitting smoking.

I correct myself, though. I said moderate drinking decreases your risk of death from any cause by 30%. A quick perusal of some google results indicates that it's 21-28%.

It's certainly a lifestyle choice I'd have no problem sticking with.

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by Atoz

It's certainly a lifestyle choice I'd have no problem sticking with.

My feeling exactly. It's rare in life to find something enjoyable is actually good for you. Moderate drinking is one. Sex is one. (Related: did you know that the more orgasms a man has before the age of 40 reduces his risk of prostate issues later in life? TRUE.) Coffee is another. Perfectly safe caffeine level to use regularly, and filled with antioxidants.

[Joe Nerve]

If someone can drink one drink a night for a year (or life), I'd say that's a pretty damn good indicator that they're not an alcoholic. Which I just realized would statistically make them a lot healthier and have them live longer lives. I believe the OP to be true.

[dragonwagon]

I have a few drinks most nights. Some nights I have none, on some weekends I get blotto. When I die, or how, doesn't seem to matter much to me, as I live each day like it's my last. Which it just might be! Who's to argue?

[Simo98]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

If someone can drink one drink a night for a year (or life), I'd say that's a pretty damn good indicator that they're not an alcoholic. Which I just realized would statistically make them a lot healthier and have them live longer lives. I believe the OP to be true.

Or would it make them an alcoholic? They are not necessarily addicted beyond control, but they do drink habitually. I'm not sure on the exact definition.

Originally Posted by dragonwagon

I have a few drinks most nights. Some nights I have none, on some weekends I get blotto. When I die, or how, doesn't seem to matter much to me, as I live each day like it's my last. Which it just might be! Who's to argue?

Nobody. So long as a person isn't harming others with their actions, I believe they should be able to do whatever they want. What's the point in prolonging life if you can't live it how you want.

[skychief]

Originally Posted by Icey101

There must be other risks with constant booze input i am sure.

Risks, Schmisks, Bottoms up, mates!!!

cheers

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Vitamin V, there's nothin' better for ya!

But seriously. There's quite good evidence that moderate drinking is excellent for your health and longevity. You might think that you could do more for yourself by exercising and eating right, but that turns out to be wrong. As lifestyle changes go, moderate drinking beats everything except quitting smoking.

I correct myself, though. I said moderate drinking decreases your risk of death from any cause by 30%. A quick perusal of some google results indicates that it's 21-28%.

All I'm seeing (granted, a very quick look), is a reduced risk of heart attack (note that some claim a fairly large reduction, some claim no reduction) and possible treatment for early T2 diabetes?

The research I found all tended to be 20-30 years old though (not that that makes it wrong).

I'd also say that it's a pretty powerful statement to make, that moderate alcohol consumption beats exercise and a good diet, without any reference/backup.

[ehque]

Even if it's the alcohol that does the good, there's benefits to the tannins found in red wine, isn't there?

I don't drink that often, but even then I can see how stopping at one drink may be a problem for some people.

[hrodbert696]

The most recent statement I saw was basically that the red wine advantage has been known a long time, but new research is pointing to similar benefits in beer drinking. I don't think any of the research applies to hard liquor. And the research stressed that the advantages came from moderate drinking - one to two beers a day. There were no health benefits beyond the second drink and, of course, lots of health damage (cirrhosis of the liver, etc.). There are some benefits which have nothing to do with alcohol and may just have to do with keeping fluid intake up.

Personally, I've drunk a beer or glass of wine a night for probably the last ten years or more. I've only been in a state I would call "tipsy" three or four times in my life and roaring drunk... maybe one or two times. Moderation is a good rule.

I'm sure a lot of unreformed alcoholics will take studies like this as an excuse but the distinction between moderate consumption and alcohol abuse is not that hard to get.

[Phalex]

I'm usually good for 2 a day during the week, 4 or 5 on nights when I gig.

[robd]

"it's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it's the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

"In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first.

"In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weakest brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers."


Cliff to Norm in an episode of Cheers

[Ziltoid]

In Quebec they have this new commercial going on TV made by Éduc Alcool which tells you it's totally fine for a man to drink 3 drinks a day with a maximum of 15 a week. (2/10 for girls)