Alcohol, Drinking Pattern, and Chronic Disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the conflicting recommendations on alcohol consumption, particularly wine, and its association with chronic diseases to establish an evidence-based consensus.
Results Summary
The study found that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine in a Mediterranean pattern, may have cardiovascular benefits, but alcohol is also associated with increased risks of cancer and neurological diseases. Agencies like the IARC recommend abstention due to its carcinogenic properties.
Population
General population, with emphasis on European countries where alcohol consumption is prevalent.
Effective Dosage
Moderate consumption (red wine with meals, avoiding binge drinking)
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
moderate alcohol consumption | increase | cardiovascular effect | - | - | has a beneficial cardiovascular effect | #1 |
moderate alcohol consumption | decrease | all-cause mortality | - | - | lower risk | #2 |
alcohol | increase | cancer | - | - | associated with an increased risk | #3 |
alcohol | increase | neurological diseases | - | - | associated with an increased risk | #4 |
alcohol | increase | injuries | - | - | associated with an increased risk | #5 |
moderate alcohol consumption following a Mediterranean pattern (red wine with meals avoiding binge drinking) | neutral | - | current drinkers | - | advocate | #6 |
abstention from alcohol | neutral | - | - | - | recommend | #7 |
This review discusses the inconsistent recommendations on alcohol consumption and its association with chronic disease, highlighting the need for an evidence-based consensus. Alcohol is an addictive substance consumed worldwide, especially in European countries. Recommendations on alcohol consumption are controversial. On one hand, many nonrandomized studies defend that moderate consumption has a beneficial cardiovascular effect or a lower risk of all-cause mortality. On the other hand, alcohol is associated with an increased risk of cancer, neurological diseases, or injuries, among others. For years, efforts have been made to answer the question regarding the safe amount of alcohol intake, but controversies remain. Observational studies advocate moderate alcohol consumption following a Mediterranean pattern (red wine with meals avoiding binge drinking) as the best option for current drinkers. However, agencies such as the IARC recommend abstention from alcohol as it is a potent carcinogen. In this context, more randomized trial with larger sample size and hard clinical endpoints should be conducted to clarify the available evidence and provide clinicians with support for their clinical practice.