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The link doesn't refute the J-shaped curve, but rather that small to moderate amount of alcohol has health benefits. "Therefore, although there is a strong bod
by hypersoar 5y ago
The link doesn't refute the J-shaped curve, but rather that small to moderate amount of alcohol has health benefits.
"Therefore, although there is a strong body of evidence that shows a J-shaped association between alcohol intake and mortality, it seems likely that the link between low–moderate intake and improved survival is not causal, and there is no ‘safe’ threshold intake below which drinking gives benefit. However, from an individual older person’s perspective, low–moderate alcohol consumption carries only small risks, and these may be counterbalanced by the pleasure obtained from drinking."
- Scoundreller 5y agoOr total/near-total abstainers may be so because of health issues. If small amounts of alcohol make you ill, you may not be great at handling other bodily assaults. Or abstainers lose out on job opportunities/social networking, end up in a lower socioeconomic class and lose lifespan because of the negative effects of that. Who knows.
- thinkharderdev 5y agoThe takeaway for me from the back-and-forth on alcohol consumption is that the effect size of moderate alcohol consumption on all cause mortality is close to zero. So whether or not you decide to drink alcohol in moderation should hinge on other factors. Do you enjoy having a glass or two of wine in the evening and suffer no noticeable ill effects the next day? Great, then have at it. Do you not enjoy drinking alcohol in any quantity or feel noticeably worse the next day even after one or two drinks? Great, then abstain entirely and don't worry about missing out on any alleged health benefits. Do you enjoy drinking alcohol but have a history of alcohol dependence in your family or find it difficult to stop at just one or two drinks? Maybe best to abstain.