On top of the 3 new studies that linked moderate drinking to better health noted in last week's Update, a trio of even more positive studies appeared this week. Danish researchers found that adults who neither consumed alcohol nor exercised had a 30%-49% higher risk for heart disease than those who "either exercise, drink or both," as reported by Medical News Today. Most important, the lead researcher suggested that abstention, not drinking, may actually be risky behavior. "Neither physical activity alone nor alcohol intake can completely reverse the increased risk associated with alcohol abstention and lack of physical activity. Thus both moderate to high levels of physical activity and a moderate alcohol intake are important for lowering the risk of fatal IHD and deaths from all causes." (Our emphasis.)
That startling conclusion followed reports of a UK study that found adopting 4 healthy behaviors - non-smoking, 5 daily servings of fruits/vegetables, physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption - "predict a 4-fold difference in total mortality in men and women," and prolong life an additional 14 years, compared to those who adopt none of those behaviors.
A third study found that among patients who had survived an acute heart attack, moderate drinkers had much lower risks for subsequent hospitalization or death than abstainers. That prompted the editors at the European Heart Journal to ask the question: "Is moderate drinking as effective as cholesterol lowering in reducing mortality in high-risk coronary patients?" Their answer - and more details -- in the next AII newsletter.
Happy, Healthy New Year!
Publishing Info
- Newsletter: Alcohol Issues Insights
- Published: 01/10/2008
- Volume: 25
- Issue #: 1