Just how bad is alcohol? Eight experts weigh in on the risks and supposed benefits of drinking
Drinking alcohol: Health experts on risks and supposed benefits NBC News
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Alcohol Consumption
Although it’s common knowledge that drinking too much is unhealthy, research sometimes conflicts about where the dividing line is between permissible and risky alcohol consumption — and whether drinking a small amount could come with any health benefits.
In the last few months alone, two large studies have further complicated the picture: A March analysis found that moderate drinkers do not have a lower risk of death than lifetime nondrinkers, while a June study found that heart health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption could be linked to the way it can reduce stress activity in the brain.
Meanwhile, a study published last month showed that deaths related to excessive drinking are rising in the United States, especially among women.
July 31, 2023
02:37
So how harmful is a weekly or even nightly glass of wine? NBC News spoke to eight nutritionists and doctors about the risks and supposed benefits of alcohol. They generally agreed that abstaining is healthiest, but that for most people, a modest level of drinking doesn’t carry significant risk.
The notion that drinking may somehow improve health, they said, is misguided.
“There’s no absolute safe level of drinking,” said Tim Stockwell, former director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. “We usually underestimate the risks from alcohol because we’re so familiar with it.”
What to make of studies suggesting health benefits of drinking
Perhaps the most common myth about the benefits of alcohol is the idea that an occasional glass of red wine boosts heart health.
Over the last few decades, several studies have found a link between moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of heart disease. However, experts said such research does not necessarily account for the possibility that light drinking can be associated with other healthy lifestyle factors, like being active and eating a balanced diet, or that participants who don’t drink may have experienced negative health effects of alcohol before deciding to go sober.
Dr. Krishna Aragam, a cardiologist and researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, said some past research has found that light to moderate drinkers may be more likely to have lower body mass index, eat more vegetables and engage in more physical activity than people who do not drink at all.
“There is a general theory that maybe people who can impose moderation with regards to how much alcohol they consume are also more able to impose moderation broadly in other aspects of their life,” Aragam said.
Aragam co-authored a 2022 study that also found a trend of healthy lifestyle habits among light to moderate drinkers, but concluded nonetheless that any level of alcohol consumption increased the risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk increased exponentially with heavier drinking, defined as more than eight drinks per week.
When it comes to the red wine myth, Dr. Zhaoping Li, division chief of clinical nutrition at UCLA Health, pointed out that the antioxidant thought to benefit
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – Deaths related to excessive drinking – Alcohol-related diseases and conditions |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | – Deaths related to excessive drinking among women |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature | – Awareness of the risks and harms of alcohol consumption – Knowledge of recommended alcohol intake levels |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the health risks associated with alcohol consumption, including liver and heart disease, weakened immune system, and various types of cancer. It also mentions the rising deaths related to excessive drinking, especially among women.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article highlights the increasing deaths related to excessive drinking among women, indicating a gender-specific issue.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article touches upon the need for relevant information and awareness regarding sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature, specifically in relation to alcohol consumption.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
The article emphasizes the need to address the harmful use of alcohol and strengthen prevention and treatment measures.
Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life
The article highlights the increasing deaths related to excessive drinking among women, indicating a need for gender-specific interventions and equal opportunities for women’s health and well-being.
Target 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
The article mentions the importance of providing information and awareness about the risks and harms of alcohol consumption, as well as knowledge of recommended alcohol intake levels.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- – Deaths related to excessive drinking: This indicator can be used to assess the impact of alcohol-related harm on public health and track changes over time.
- – Alcohol-related diseases and conditions: Monitoring the prevalence and incidence of alcohol-related diseases and conditions can provide insights into the effectiveness of prevention and treatment measures.
- – Awareness of the risks and harms of alcohol consumption: Assessing the level of awareness among the population about the risks and harms associated with alcohol can help evaluate the effectiveness of awareness campaigns and educational initiatives.
- – Knowledge of recommended alcohol intake levels: Measuring the knowledge and understanding of recommended alcohol intake levels can indicate the extent to which individuals are informed about responsible alcohol consumption.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol | – Deaths related to excessive drinking – Alcohol-related diseases and conditions |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life | – Deaths related to excessive drinking among women |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature | – Awareness of the risks and harms of alcohol consumption – Knowledge of recommended alcohol intake levels |
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Source: nbcnews.com
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