Once again it has been proved that moderate drinkers tend to have better health and live longer than those who are either abstainers or heavy drinkers. This is supported by the fact that alcohol has been used medicinally throughout recorded history.
Reducing chances of kidney cancer
A team from the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm recently conducted a study which establishes that alcohol consumption may lower the risk of developing kidney cancer. The team found that the probability of developing kidney cell cancer was about 40% lower among those who consumed about 620 g of ethanol per month compared to those who did not drink at all. It was observed that drinking more than two glasses of red wine, white wine and strong beer was related with a 40% reduction in kidney cell cancer risk compared with drinking no alcohol. There was no relation between kidney cell cancer risk and consumption of light beer, medium-strong beer, strong wine, or hard liquor.
Other benefits of moderate drinking
Moderate drinkers have fewer heart attacks, strokes and are generally less likely to suffer hypertension or high blood pressure. Sensible drinking also appears to be beneficial in reducing or preventing diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures and osteoporosis. This is because alcohol in moderate quantities improves blood lipid profile, decreases thrombosis and reduces blood pressure.
What is moderate drinking?
Medical researchers generally describe moderation as one to three drinks per day. A drink is a 12 ounce can or bottle of beer, a five ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Consuming less than about half a drink per day is associated with only very small health benefits. Four or five drinks may be moderate for large individuals but excessive for small or light people so individual judgment is required in determining moderation for oneself.
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Via: TVNZ