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Wondering what to make of the claim that drinking alcohol leads to a healthier
heart?
You're not alone. The media is abuzz with both good and bad news about alcohol,
making it hard to know which facts are worth swallowing. But rather than pound
back the pale ale in either celebration or confusion, consider this fact: while
alcohol does indeed have some health benefits, the scope of those benefits is
limited. The harmful effects of alcohol—on the body as well as on society—far outweigh the good.
What alcohol can add to your health
Heart help
Moderate alcohol consumption—one or two drinks per day—raises good cholesterol
and blood protein levels, thus lowering the risk of coronary heart disease,
in men over 45 and women over 55. In France, where red wine plays a regular
role in the everyday diet, researchers note consistently low rates of heart
disease among the population.
Stress relief
Alcohol also serves as a stress reliever for a great many people in our ever-on-the-go
society. After one drink, at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% (0.02 grams
per 100ml of blood), many people feel a bit more relaxed and at ease with the
world.
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Women's bodies more vulnerable to
harm from alcohol
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When it comes to alcohol consumption, men and women are anything but
equal, and women are particularly vulnerable to the physical effects of
alcohol.
- Lower body weight and less water in the body mean
women cannot safely consume the same amount of alcohol as men.
- Women drinkers develop liver cancer and damage
to their brain structure after fewer years of heavy drinking than men.
- Drinking during adolescence and the young adult
years can dramatically compromise bone quality and may increase risk
for osteoporosis.
- Women with alcohol problems can have a variety
of sexual and reproductive health problems.
- Drinking during pregnancy can negatively impact
fetal brain development, growth, physical appearance, learning and intelligence
- Drinking during lactation exposes a breastfed baby
to alcohol and can cause deficiencies in infant nutrition, growth, motor
development, early learning and behaviour.
With more at stake than men, women in general gain more by drinking
less or not at all.
Sources: Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan. 2004. Gender differences in risk factors
and consequences for alcohol use and problems. Clinical Psychology Review
24:981-1010. Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, Effects Series: Alcohol. Centre
for Addictions Research of B.C.
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So, what's wrong with kicking back with a cool one after a long day? Nothing,
say alcohol experts. It's what happens after more than one drink that is troubling.
And all too often, 'having a drink' in fact amounts to two, three, or even more
visits to the liquor cabinet. Additional drinks can boost confidence levels
in some people, and can free others from the shackles of shyness. But most consumers
experience the depressant effects of alcohol, leading to fatigue and negativity.
Alcohol shouldn't be considered a health measure. If you've never been much
of a drinker, there's no health-related reason to add the substance to your
routine. According to health experts, a strong heart and stress-free existence
are better achieved through a healthy
diet and adequate exercise.
How alcohol can compromise good health
Despite the benefits noted, the harmful effects of alcohol far outweigh the
good. This is particularly true for women.
Harm to the body
Drinking alcohol increases a person's risk of developing several types of
cancer and other chronic diseases, such as type
2 diabetes Long-term alcohol use can lead to diseases of the central nervous
system, cardiovascular system, digestive system and reproductive system.
Harm to society
The Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission reports: "Motor vehicle accidents are
the leading cause of alcohol-related death, and alcohol consumption is a major
contributing factor in injuries and fatalities due to falls, drowning and
fires; work-related accidents, absenteeism and illness; and crimes of violence
including spousal abuse and physical assault."
Equally serious are the social implications of alcoholism-job loss, relationship
failure, disintegration of the family unit, and the passing on of unhealthy
drinking habits to the next generation. Teen alcoholism is more likely in
families wherein parents struggle with alcohol addiction or simply drink too
often.
One of the most serious harms to society is caused by the effects alcohol
can have on a growing fetus. Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the medical term used to describe
a combination of abnormalities that result from the mother drinking alcohol
during pregnancy. A fetus exposed to alcohol can have life-long disabilities
and health problems. The effects are permanent. Some people with FASD will
need a lifetime of extra health care, education and social services. All alcoholic
drinks are toxic to a growing baby, and the safest pregnancy is the one that
is alcohol-free.
Fatal choices made by so-called 'social' drinkers
It's not just alcoholics who can cause harm. Social drinkers also put their
lives, and the lives of others, at risk by making bad decisions after they've
been drinking. Dr. Tim Stockwell, director at the Centre for Addictions Research
of BC, says that alcohol-related violence and accidents account for approximately
6000 deaths per year in Canada.
Social drinkers who sip a few too many on a single occasion cause more physical
damage or death than those with an alcohol dependency. This is what researchers
call the prevention
paradox—because social drinkers vastly outnumber heavy drinkers, the negative
impact of their drinking on society is much more costly overall.
How alcohol causes harm
When an alcoholic beverage is consumed, ethanol is absorbed in the bloodstream,
depressing the central nervous system and altering the function of cells and
organs throughout the body. When more than one drink is consumed, a person's
thinking and judgement can be impaired. Their speech, vision, balance, and coordination
can also be affected.
Most people associate alcohol-related harm with alcoholism, also referred to
by health professionals as alcohol dependence. Excessive long-term drinking
can, of course, lead to chronic health problems and early death. But more significant
are the risks associated with a single bout of excessive drinking.
The risks to health and safety rise rapidly with each additional drink. According
to Dr. Stockwell, "Most acute harm is from intoxication, not just injuries
and accidents, but also strokes, overdose, poisoning and pancreatic problems."
As well, intoxication is a leading factor in the spread of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) as a result of unsafe sexual practices. Overdrinking can also
lead to unplanned pregnancies.
According to analysis of the recent Canadian Addictions Survey, soon to be
published by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC, at least one third of
the people who drink have put themselves at significant risk of harm in the
past year.
How much is too much?
The effects of alcohol depend on a range of factors—the amount of alcohol in
the bloodstream, age, weight, gender, metabolism, and previous experience with
alcohol. Women, for example, are affected differently than
men.
Some people should not drink at all. For example, pregnant women are advised
not to drink, as no amount of alcohol is known to be safe for fetal development.
People who use alcohol are urged to drink with caution. The best way to keep
your alcohol consumption in check is to follow low-risk
drinking guidelines. According to these guidelines developed by the Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health and endorsed by the Canadian Centre on Substance
Abuse, you can minimize your risk by having no more than two drinks a day
with a weekly maximum of nine drinks for women or 14 for men.
Good advice to keep in mind
- Fill your stomach with food before reaching for your first cold one.
Food slows down the absorption of alcohol in the stomach, thus reducing peak
alcohol levels and the feeling of intoxication.
- Don't exceed your limit. Heavy drinking is defined as having consumed
five or more drinks on one occasion, twelve or more times in one year. According
to a nation-wide survey in 2004, just over 20% of Canadians drink much more
than is healthy for either the body or society—they have five or more drinks
in one setting at least once a month.
- Don't mix alcohol with medication. People taking certain prescription
medications or depressant drugs, such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers,
should avoid adding alcohol to the mix, as the results could be deadly. Even
the combination of alcohol and small amounts of cannabis or over-the-counter
antihistamines (cold or allergy medicines) could make a person dangerous behind
the wheel of a vehicle.
- Forget driving if you've been drinking at the office party or your
friend's birthday bash, especially if you're anywhere near the legal
limit of a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08.
When it comes to alcohol and health, less really is more to stay healthy and
safe. Does this mean steering clear of the punchbowl at the staff barbecue this
summer? Not exactly. Most people can handle having a drink or two on social
occasions. But if you do choose to add alcohol to your summer plans, do so with
caution.
Do yourself and others a favour by drinking sensibly and responsibly.
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This article was prepared by the 
