4 ms·

I have a hard time reconciling these statements with the study referred to in this article: http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/truth-wont-admit

I have a hard time reconciling these statements with the study referred to in this article: http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/truth-wont-admit-drinking-healthy-87891/ http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/truth-wo... "In the largest prospective study ever conducted for alcohol, involving nearly a half million subjects, sponsored by the American Cancer Society... The overall death rates were lowest among men and women reporting about one drink daily." There are other findings from that study which support the health benefits of regular, moderate consumption as well. All levels of alcohol consumption (even 6+ drinks per day!) were found to be associated with lower overall mortality than abstinence.

DanBC 12y ago
I'm not advocating anstinence. I'm advocating for knowing how much you're actually drinking, and making sure you drink less than "two glasses of wine a day" - note that two glasses of wine maybe the equivalent of five or six drinks a day. > The overall death rates were lowest among men and women reporting about one drink daily. Mortality from all causes increased with heavier drinking, particularly among adults under age 60 with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The article talks about research but misrepresents that research. While the death rates for people drinking six drinks per days are lower than for people who abstain the rates are higher than for people who drink one drink a day. And one drink is probably much smaller than people realise: 125 ml wine at 8% ABV is one drink. 175 ml at 14.5% (much more typical of what people actually drink) is 2.5 units; two glasses is 5 units.
- kolev 12y ago
  So, the French are doing it all wrong then - eating too much saturated fat and drinking way too much wine? Maybe they should start measuring exactly the alcohol content and use standard measuring cylinders? Again, this is the oversimplification of human metabolism. Maybe two glasses are too much for your own weak system, but for healthy people it's not much at all and pay attention to the study - people who had more were still fine. Also, pay attention again - drinking wine with a meal (especially something as fatty as cheese) is not the same as drinking it on empty stomach - something you're totally missing in your "guidelines". Also, drinking alone and in a social setting makes a difference, too.
- apatters 12y ago
  > And one drink is probably much smaller than people realise: 125 ml wine at 8% ABV is one drink. What is your source for this? The NIH defines a standard drink of wine as 5 oz or about 150ml at 12%. I agree that many people pour more than that since it's less than a cup of wine (about 250ml). I agree with the general sentiment that you should be aware of how much you're drinking, but as the article points out, mortality rate from "alcohol-augmented conditions" is barely a blip until you hit 4-5 drinks daily. It is a U-shaped curve with the most deadly conditions being abstinence and seriously heavy drinking. Given that, I think just being roughly aware of your intake goes a long way. I would love to know how the delta in mortality between 1 daily drink (the optimal) and 5 stacks up against mortality from other common behaviors. I'd hazard a guess that an extra 4 drinks a day is actually less dangerous than obesity or lack of exercise. And yet many people seem a lot more afraid of the effects of having two beers a day than they are of skipping the gym!

DanBC 12y ago

I'm not advocating anstinence. I'm advocating for knowing how much you're actually drinking, and making sure you drink less than "two glasses of wine a day" - note that two glasses of wine maybe the equivalent of five or six drinks a day. > The overall death rates were lowest among men and women reporting about one drink daily. Mortality from all causes increased with heavier drinking, particularly among adults under age 60 with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The article talks about research but misrepresents that research. While the death rates for people drinking six drinks per days are lower than for people who abstain the rates are higher than for people who drink one drink a day. And one drink is probably much smaller than people realise: 125 ml wine at 8% ABV is one drink. 175 ml at 14.5% (much more typical of what people actually drink) is 2.5 units; two glasses is 5 units.

kolev 12y ago
So, the French are doing it all wrong then - eating too much saturated fat and drinking way too much wine? Maybe they should start measuring exactly the alcohol content and use standard measuring cylinders? Again, this is the oversimplification of human metabolism. Maybe two glasses are too much for your own weak system, but for healthy people it's not much at all and pay attention to the study - people who had more were still fine. Also, pay attention again - drinking wine with a meal (especially something as fatty as cheese) is not the same as drinking it on empty stomach - something you're totally missing in your "guidelines". Also, drinking alone and in a social setting makes a difference, too.
apatters 12y ago
> And one drink is probably much smaller than people realise: 125 ml wine at 8% ABV is one drink. What is your source for this? The NIH defines a standard drink of wine as 5 oz or about 150ml at 12%. I agree that many people pour more than that since it's less than a cup of wine (about 250ml). I agree with the general sentiment that you should be aware of how much you're drinking, but as the article points out, mortality rate from "alcohol-augmented conditions" is barely a blip until you hit 4-5 drinks daily. It is a U-shaped curve with the most deadly conditions being abstinence and seriously heavy drinking. Given that, I think just being roughly aware of your intake goes a long way. I would love to know how the delta in mortality between 1 daily drink (the optimal) and 5 stacks up against mortality from other common behaviors. I'd hazard a guess that an extra 4 drinks a day is actually less dangerous than obesity or lack of exercise. And yet many people seem a lot more afraid of the effects of having two beers a day than they are of skipping the gym!