Numerous studies have suggested that alcohol can be part of a healthy diet. In fact, many suggest that moderate amounts of alcohol can reduce your risk for heart disease and even diabetes. But not all researchers are convinced that alcohol- even in moderation- is good for you. Critics say that no study has ever proved a causal relationship between moderate drinking and lower disease rates- only that the two tend to go together. Does moderate drinking make you healthier, or is it just that healthy people tend to drink moderately? If you're a moderate drinker, it's assumed that you probably take care of yourself (eating healthy, exercising regularly). So are those the lifestyle habits that most significantly contribute to good health, instead of how much you drink? According to a New York Times story: "The bottom line is there has not been a single study done on moderate alcohol consumption and mortality outcomes that is a ‘gold standard’ kind of study — the kind of randomized controlled clinical trial that we would be required to have in order to approve a new pharmaceutical agent in this country,” said Dr. Tim Naimi from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some studies argue that moderate drinkers have a reduced risk of disease versus those who do not drink at all. Critics question who these abstainers are, whether or not they already had heart disease, or whether they quit drinking because they got sick. The answers aren't clear. Moderate drinkers tend to be more educated, more affluent and get better health care than non-drinkers. So it's very difficult to compare the two groups and know that alcohol consumption is the reason for their differing rates of disease. There are just too many variables involved. Some of the research supporting alcohol use has also been funded by the alcohol industry, which adds another degree of complexity to the debate. Health organizations have differing opinions on alcohol and a healthy diet. While the American Heart Association says that people shouldn't start drinking to prevent heart disease, the United States dietary guidelines say that moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial. What do you think? Can moderate drinking be part of a healthy diet? Is it part of yours? |
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