The Harvard School of Public Health (USA), after a study carried out on almost 122,000 women, has concluded that “regular and moderate alcohol consumption in middle age may be related to a modest increase in general health of women who reach advanced ages”.
For this research, the scientists studied the alcohol consumption habits of middle-aged women and contacted them again once they were over 70 to find out their status.
It is known that excessive alcohol consumption harms health, even causing damage to some organs and diseases. But this study reveals that moderate consumption can provide women with better health in old age, reducing the incidence of heart disease, diabetes and cognitive problems.
Alcohol in moderation
- The question is how much is a moderate amount of alcohol? On this point there is a difference of opinion.
- For American scientists from the Harvard School of Health, women can achieve better health in their old age by drinking a maximum of one alcoholic drink a day. In his study, those who took a daily amount less than this maximum had a 50% improvement in their health if they reached an advanced age, while if they reached the daily maximum, this percentage was reduced to 20%. In the case of men, the maximum can reach two alcoholic drinks per day.
- Studies carried out by the University of Calgary (Canada) reach the same conclusion as those of the Harvard School of Health and, in addition, have detailed the exact amount that should be consumed. Women should not exceed 1.5 ounces (43 milliliters) of spirits per day, 5 ounces (142 milliliters) of wine, or 12 ounces (341 milliliters) of beer. For men the recommendation is just double.
- On the other hand, an investigation carried out by the University of Oxford (England) on the habits of alcohol consumption, although it reaches the same conclusion about the health benefits, differs in what “alcohol in moderation” means. His study has used a mathematical model and has applied it to 15,000 English alcohol consumers to find out what is the amount of alcohol that only leaves benefits on the body. The bottom line is that the daily alcohol maximum should not exceed a quarter of a glass of wine or a pint of beer, a very different figure from that recommended by Harvard and Calgary.
- Following the advice of the Oxford scientists would be reducing the possibility of developing a broader list of diseases. Diabetes and heart disease are joined by cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy and up to five types of cancer.
- Whatever the amount chosen, the consumer must be a healthy person. None of these tips is valid for patients with coagulation problems, with liver conditions or who have suffered from some type of addiction.