Alcohol has been the lifeblood of civilization dating as far back as the Middle Ages due to its being cleanlier than early water sources. Over time, Alcohol has gained a mixed reputation thanks to various causes. More recently, an inquiry commenced as to whether or not a moderate consumption of alcohol daily has any health related benefits. This study intends to bring light on the subject.
Moderate drinking, one drink per day for women and one to two drinks a day for men, has been considered a key factor to the equation (Margolis, 2007). A drink, by definition, is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof distilled spirits (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). For example, doctors need to know if moderate consumption is in reality positive for health: understanding the effects and consequences of consumption may help them make this decision. Individuals could benefit from insights of moderate consumption allowing them a means to maintain their personal health and well-being without having to become dependent upon expensive medications.
So what conclusions have individuals drawn? Many specialists have determined that a daily moderate consumption of alcohol is actually healthy, helping reduce the risk of heart disease and a handful of various other ailments (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). The majority of sources tend to agree that moderate consumption is healthy and will be beneficial but the dispute tends to come down to whether or not people are actually capable of sticking to a moderate consumption as opposed to over-drinking or possibly becoming an addict (Criqui, 1996). Nevertheless, some specialists simply leave it to the patient to make the decision whether or not moderate consumption will be a viable option (Margolis, 2007). History
To better understand implications suggested at the present one should take into consideration those of the past.
Alcohol, as an intentional beverage, has been supposed to have been created, in the form of beer, during the late Stone Age due to the discovery of beer jugs; this was during the Neolithic period around 10,000 B.C. (Hanson, 1995). Egyptians appear to have introduced wine in 4,000 B.C. (Hanson, 1995). Some specialists have ventured to say that beer may have been a staple before bread thus one is able to draw the conclusion that it served as a necessity before a luxury possibly ensuring the survival of early man (Hanson, 1995).
The earliest alcoholic beverages were derived from berries or honey (Hanson, 1995). Alcohol was used medicinally in places such as Sumer at approximately 2,000 B.C. (Hanson, 1995). By no coincidence alcohol found its way into early religions and became rather important in various ceremonies and forms of worship. Christians tend to use wine when taking the Lord’s Supper for it signifies their savior’s blood; Ancient Greeks had the wine god Dionysus; Egyptians had Osiris. Beer and wine were everyday products to these peoples and actually aided them with survival especially in areas where clean water was hard to find.
These early alcoholic beverages were used globally from Europe throughout Asia. Not surprisingly the beverage has faced much controversy even during these early times. In China, laws with respect to the creation of wine were put into effect and withdrawn forty-one instances from 1,100 B.C. to A.D. 1,400 (Hanson, 1995). Excessive drinking has always been a sort of problem even in these cultures. Greeks rarely drank heavily except during festival times: binge drinking (Hanson, 1995). The Romans had serious issues with the beverage and one might be able to go as far as saying that it had a part in their downfall (alcoholism). Alcohol has always taken on this controversy but has for some reason or another stayed around.
The viticulture we see and know today originated from monks during the middle ages (Hanson, 1995). With a stable environment they were able to perfect brewing and winemaking techniques which are still used today. One of the advances in brewing made by monks was the invention of distillation (Hanson, 1995). Called aqua vitae, this distilled alcohol was meant to be used medicinally (Hanson, 1995). Aqua vitae later took on the identity brandy, derived from brandewijn which means burnt wine; thus the invention of the first hard liquor (Hanson 1995). Soon to follow were Ireland’s whiskey in the sixteenth century and France’s champagne and gin in the seventeenth century (Hanson, 1995). In the year 2000 the United States was the leading producer of beer closely followed by China (beer: leading beer-producing countries, 2000). (See Figure 1.)
Overall, alcohol has faced scrutiny but upheld. It’s kept society sustained but also tempted. Religion has played a large role in the spread and development of alcohol, all the while typically speaking out against over consumption. In the past, peoples have consumed without absolute knowledge of the consequences; it is for this purpose that one gives way to the findings of modern research and study.
Benefits:
Heart Health
Moderate consumption of alcohol can actually improve one’s cardiovascular health. Specifically, moderate consumption prevents heart disease (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). Stanton Peele states, in a 1995 essay, that “In 1992 Il Suh and colleagues found a 40% reduction in coronary mortality among men drinking three and more drinks daily. The 11, 700 male subjects were in the upper 10 to 15 percent of risk for coronary heart disease based on their cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking status,” (as cited in Barbour, Stalcup & Leone, 1998). Alcohol is capable of this feat due to it causing a rise in the production of high-density lipoprotein or “good cholesterol” which assists with the regulation of blood pressure (Harvard School of Public Health, 2007). HDL prevents clotting thus enabling one’s heart to run less of a risk of heart attack (Harvard School of Public Health, 2007).
Stroke
Moderate consumption of alcohol can help prevent the risk of a stroke (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). A stroke is caused by the clogging of an artery any where in the body. Because alcohol raises HDL levels, risk of such clogging is cut down thus presenting a means for a person to prevent ailments as severe as aneurisms simply by consuming an alcoholic beverage. Specifically, alcohol particularly helps prevent ischemic strokes (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006).
Various Other Benefits
Aside from the major heart benefits, moderate consumption can help with anything ranging from lowering the risk of gallstones to reducing the risk of diabetes (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). If a person has a drink before a meal, digestion may actually be improved or even allow a person to relax and unwind at the end of a day reducing stress (Harvard School of Public Health, 2007). It was also found that persons who drank moderately were actually more likely to be at healthy body weight and get seven to eight hours of sleep as opposed to those who abstained (Harvard School of Public Health, 2007). The above said physical and mental effects may add to overall health and state of mind (Harvard School of Public Health.)
Mortality
In an essay by Stanton Peele, studies seem to have come to the conclusion that those who consume with moderation actually outlive those who abstain (as cited in Barbour et al., 1998). In various separate studies by Fuchs, Gronbaek, Doll, Boffetta and Garfinkel, and finally Klatsky, as outlined by Peele, it was found that women who drank up to two drinks a day, and wine drinkers who drank three to five glasses a day, had a lower mortality than those who abstained (as cited in Barbour, Stalcup & Leone, 1998). Ironically, Peele found that temperance nations have higher alcohol related mortality rates than non-temperance nations (as cited in Barbour et al., 1998).Disadvantages
Consumption of alcohol becomes a risk when it is not consumed in moderation. In 2007, The (Adelaide) Adviser went as far as to say that there actually are no benefits which can be derived from alcohol, but alternative sources say otherwise (“Medical Study”, 2007). The other sources tend to agree that moderate consumption is beneficial, but decide that there is too great of a risk of abuse and over consumption (Crique as cited in Barbour et al., 1998). When consumed in a non-moderate amount, alcohol can do a great deal of detrimental damage. Binge drinking runs the risk of causing atrial fibrillation (Margolis, 2007). Other health complications include: cancer of the pancreas, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and liver, and breast cancer (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). Aside from cancer, other health risks include: pancreatitis, sudden death, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis of the liver, miscarriage, fetal alcohol syndrome, stroke, brain atrophy, and heart failure (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2006). An alternative resource refutes that the cancer risks involving breast cancer, oral cavity, larynx, and the esophagus are relatively small (Margolis, 2007). Now the majority of the negative effects listed above seem to go against the positive benefits but one should consider that these negatives occur only in the case of over consumption. Moderation vs. Over Consumption
The majority of the beneficial or detrimental controversy stems from the conception that individuals are not able to stick to a moderate consumption. Simeon Margolis, according to a 2007 publishing, came to the conclusion that for alcohol to prevent cardiovascular disease alcoholic beverages must be consumed nearly every day and not in mass quantities on the weekends. In fact, most doctors suggest that despite the fact that moderately consumed alcohol is beneficial, if one does not drink, one should not begin (Margolis, 2007). Also, if one has a genetic disposition to alcoholism, it is suggested that they do not take the risk of addiction by consuming any alcoholic beverages (Criqui as cited by Barbour et al., 1998). Where does one come to a conclusion or draw a line? Well, some suggest that the decision should simply come down to the individual based on one’s own ability to decide (Criqui as cited by Barbour et al., 1998).Final Thoughts
Alcohol has been around since early man and will probably not be going away anytime soon. Overall, moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, typically two drinks per day, presents a positive and helpful way to stimulate many beneficiary results. At the end of the day, the real issue comes down to the responsibility of the individual. If one can consume a moderate amount of alcohol then this might be a suitable route, but if one feels that one cannot, or will not be able to stick to a strict intake then perhaps one is better off avoiding temptation.
References
Alcohol: Nutrition source, harvard school of public health (2007). Retrieved February 21, 2008, from Harvard School of Public Health Web site: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol.html#table1
Barbour, Stalcup & Leone, S, B & B (Ed.). (1998). Alcohol opposing viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc.
beer: leading beer-producing countries, 2000. 2008, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/ebc/art-70940
Hanson, D (1995). History of alcohol and drinking around the world. Retrieved February 12, 2008, from Alcohol Problems and Solutions Web site: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/controversies/1114796842.html
Margolis, Simeon (2007). Alcohol’s pros and cons: An update on yahoo! Health. Retrieved January 30, 2008, from health.yahoo.com Web site: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/86/alcohols-pros-and-cons-an-update
Mayo Clinic Staff, (2006, August 25). Alcohol and your health: weighing the pros and cons. Retrieved January 25, 2008, from MayoClinic.com Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol/SC00024
Medical Study: no benefits from alcohol, (2007). The (Adelaide) Advertiser, 1,Retrieved January 23, 2008, from http://www.ebscohost.com
Figure Caption
Figure 1. Beer production by country, 2000: a comparison of beer production amongst the top 20.
Note. From beer: leading beer-producing countries, 2000. 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/ebc/art-70940
