Search resultsAlcohol and health: A drink a day won't keep the doctor away
Title
Alcohol and health: A drink a day won't keep the doctor away
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2003
Authors
Journal
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Volume
70
Issue
11
Pagination
945 - 953
Date published
2003
ISBN
08911150 (ISSN)
Keywords
aging, alcohol, alcohol consumption, alcohol dehydrogenase, Alcohol Drinking, alcoholic beverage, Alcoholism, angina pectoris, antioxidant, antithrombocytic agent, cardiovascular disease, Cardiovascular Diseases, cardiovascular effect, cardiovascular risk, Cholesterol, HDL, Cholesterol, LDL, cognition, Coronary Disease, dementia, drinking behavior, ego development, Ethanol, heart muscle ischemia, heredity, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, human, Humans, hypertension, lifestyle, nonhuman, patient care, physician, polyphenol derivative, review, risk assessment, social aspect, ST segment depression, stroke, traffic accident, wine
Abstract
We should not advise patients to start drinking alcohol for its alleged cardiovascular benefits. The negative effects of alcohol are well established, and the evidence of alcohol's benefits comes mainly from epidemiologic studies that were not well controlled for other influences, such as lifestyle factors. Moreover, we have other means of lowering cardiovascular risk that are safe and proven. Those who are healthy and whose drinking history shows little risk of developing alcohol dependency may continue to drink moderate amounts. Heavy drinkers should be advised to quit.