Heavy drinking linked to a range of serious consequences .
It includes certain cancers, lever and heart disease, and damage to nervous system , including the brain.
However, as has been echautively covered in the popular press drinking in moderation might have certain health benefits.
A number of studies have concluded that drinking alcohol at a low level could have a protective effect.
One study, for instance, found that light and moderate drinking protected against all-cause mortality, as well as mortality related to cardiovascular disease.
It is no surprise that these stories have been well-received and widely read, but not at all researchers agree, and the debate is ongoing.
A recent study led by Dr. Timothy Naimi of the Boston Medical center in Massachusetts adds further fuel to an already rampant blaze.
A Fresh Approach
The researchers argue that the way that earlier studies measured alcohol's impact on health might be flawed. Specifically, they note that the studies are generally observational and usually recruit participants over the age of 50.
The author argues that this is problematic because it excludes anyone who might have certainly died due to alcohol before the age of 50. As they dryly point out, "decreased persons cannot be enrolled in cohort studies."
According to the report, almost 40 percent of deaths due to alcohol consumption occurs before the age of 50.
This means that the vast majority of research into the potential risks of alcohol does not take these deaths into account and could underestimate the real dangers.
The Difference in Age
The analysis shows that the level of an individual alcohol-related risk was heavily influenced by age.
In total, 38.5 percent of alcohol-related deaths occurred in people aged 20-49. When looking at deaths that were prevented by alcohol consumption, the scientists found only 4.5 in this age group.
When they looked at individuals aged 65 or over, it was a difficult story. Although a similar 35 percent of alcohol-related deaths occurred in this group, the author found a huge 80 percent of the deaths prevented by alcohol in this demographic.
They showed that 58.4 percent of the total number of years lost occurred in those aged 20-49 However, this age group only accounted for 14.5 percent of the year of life saved by drinking.
You must be logged in to post a comment.