Posted on: Wednesday, July 10th 2024 at 3:00 am
Think that nightly glass of wine is harmless? Think again. New research suggests even moderate drinking could be taking months off your life.
The Buzz on Booze and Longevity
Think your daily drink is a health tonic? Think again. New research reveals alcohol's sobering impact on longevity, but nature may offer solutions for those seeking change.
Recent research is sobering up our understanding of alcohol's impact on longevity, and the results might make you think twice before reaching for that corkscrew. Dr. Tim Stockwell, a scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, has dropped a bombshell that's sending shockwaves through happy hours everywhere: consuming just one alcoholic drink per day could shorten your life by approximately two and a half months.1
Let that sink in for a moment. Your daily unwinding ritual, that seeming innocuous glass of Merlot or pint of craft IPA, could be quietly chipping away at your lifespan. It's enough to make even the most devoted imbiber pause mid-sip.
From Moderate to Risky: Redefining "Safe" Drinking
But surely a drink or two can't be that bad, right? We've all heard about the supposed benefits of moderate drinking. Well, prepare to have your beer goggles removed. Dr. Stockwell's research, which informed Canada's revised alcohol guidelines, suggests that no amount of alcohol consumption actually improves health.2
In fact, the more you drink, the more life you might be losing. Those who indulge in a hefty 35 drinks per week (that's five drinks a day or two bottles of whiskey over seven days) could be cutting their life short by approximately two years. Suddenly, "bottoms up" takes on a whole new, rather morbid meaning.
The Science Behind the Sober Truth
So how did we get it so wrong for so long? The belief in alcohol's potential health benefits stems partly from the so-called "French paradox" - the observation that French people, despite their rich diet and above-average wine consumption, have relatively low rates of heart disease.3
This idea was eagerly embraced, particularly by those of us who enjoy a tipple. But as it turns out, the science behind this belief was about as solid as your resolve after a few martinis.
Many studies suggesting health benefits from moderate drinking were funded by the alcohol industry - a classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse. In fact, a recent report found that a staggering 13,500 studies have been directly or indirectly funded by the industry.4 Talk about putting your thumb on the scale - or in this case, perhaps, on the bottle opener.
Debunking the "Healthy Drinker" Myth
Dr. Stockwell and his colleagues have poked more holes in pro-alcohol research than there are in a wine aerator. One major issue? The "sick quitter" problem. Many studies compared moderate drinkers to non-drinkers, but failed to account for the fact that some non-drinkers had quit alcohol due to health problems. This made the moderate drinkers look healthier by comparison, but it wasn't the alcohol keeping them healthy - it was the fact that they were healthy enough to drink in the first place.5
As Dr. Stockwell puts it, "Being able to drink is a sign you are still healthy, not the cause of being in good health." It's a classic case of correlation not equaling causation, or as we might say in layman's terms, putting the cart before the horse... or in this case, the drink before the health.
The Red Wine Ruse
But what about red wine? Surely its heart-healthy reputation still stands? Alas, this too may be more wishful thinking than scientific fact. While red wine does contain compounds called polyphenols, which are believed to help protect blood vessels in the heart, the amounts are tiny.
Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, an internist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, notes that you'd need to drink between 100 to 1,000 glasses of red wine daily to get an amount equivalent to the doses that improved health in mice studies.6 At that point, your liver would likely give out long before your heart saw any benefit.
The Global Shift in Alcohol Attitudes
The mounting evidence against alcohol's health claims is starting to impact policy worldwide. Ireland has become the first country to pass legislation requiring health warnings on alcohol labels, set to take effect in 2026.7 Canada has dramatically revised its guidelines, now recommending no more than two alcoholic drinks per week.8
Even the World Heart Federation, in a statement that likely caused collective gasps in vineyards worldwide, declared: "Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol is not good for the heart."9 It seems the times they are a-changin', and our beloved booze is increasingly on the defensive.
The Ripple Effects of Alcohol Consumption
The impact of alcohol extends far beyond just shaving time off our lives. According to the CDC, the average number of deaths annually due to excessive alcohol use increased by about 29 percent from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, reaching more than 178,000 deaths per year.10 That's more than the number of drug overdose deaths reported in 2022.
These deaths aren't just from liver disease or drunk driving accidents. Alcohol's tendrils reach into various aspects of health, contributing to mental health issues, heart disease, and even certain cancers. It's a sobering reminder that alcohol's effects on our bodies are complex and far-reaching.
Addressing Alcohol Addiction Naturally
For those struggling with alcohol addiction, there is growing evidence that certain natural approaches may be helpful. One of the most promising areas of research involves psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms."
A 2015 study found that psilocybin treatment led to significant decreases in alcohol craving and increased abstinence from alcohol.11 The researchers noted that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, could help patients gain insights into their addiction and make lasting changes.
Another study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of psilocybin, in the context of various alcoholism treatment programs, was associated with a decrease in alcohol misuse.12 The effects were still noticeable six months after treatment.
GreenMedInfo.com has amassed a rich database of natural substances that have shown promise in addressing alcohol addiction include:
1. Kudzu: This Chinese herb has been found to reduce alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers.13
2. N-acetylcysteine (NAC): This antioxidant may help reduce alcohol cravings and protect against liver damage.14
3. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Deficiency is common in alcoholics and supplementation may help prevent neurological complications.15
4. Milk Thistle: This herb has liver-protective properties and may help reduce alcohol cravings.16
5. Acupuncture: Some studies suggest it may help reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms.17
Reducing Alcohol Toxicity
For those who continue to drink, GreeMedInfo.com has also amassed a robust database of natural substances which may potentially mitigate some of the harmful effects of alcohol. Here are some of the top substances shown to have protective effects against alcohol toxicity:
1. Curcumin: This compound from turmeric has been shown to protect against alcohol-induced liver damage.18
2. Vitamin C: Research suggests it can help protect against alcohol-induced oxidative stress.19
3. Resveratrol: Found in red grapes, it may help protect against alcohol-induced liver injury.20
4. Ginger: Studies indicate it could protect against alcohol-induced gastric damage.21
5. Green Tea Extract: Rich in antioxidants, it may help protect against alcohol-induced liver damage.22
6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats may help reduce inflammation caused by alcohol consumption.23
7. Probiotics: They may help restore gut health and reduce alcohol-induced inflammation.24
8. Glutathione: This antioxidant may help protect against alcohol-induced oxidative stress.25
9. Milk Thistle: In addition to potentially reducing cravings, it may also protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage.26
10. B-Complex Vitamins: Alcohol depletes B vitamins, so supplementation may help mitigate some negative effects.27
So... Should We All Become Teetotalers?
Before you pour all your booze down the drain in a panic, it's worth noting that these findings represent averages and risks. Not everyone who enjoys a daily drink will see their life shortened by exactly two and a half months. Individual factors like genetics, overall lifestyle, and pure chance play a role too.
However, the evidence is clear that alcohol, even in moderation, is not the health tonic we once thought it was. As Dr. Stockwell says, "Alcohol is our favorite recreational drug. We use it for pleasure and relaxation, and the last thing we want to hear is that it causes any harm... it's comforting to think that drinking is good for our health, but unfortunately, it's based on poor science."
Raising a Glass to Informed Choices
So where does this leave us, the wine enthusiasts, the craft beer aficionados, the cocktail connoisseurs? Perhaps it's time to approach alcohol with the same mindset we apply to other indulgences - as something to be enjoyed in moderation, with a clear understanding of the potential risks.
After all, life is about balance. While we now know that even moderate drinking might be shaving some time off our lives, it's up to each individual to weigh the potential costs against the perceived benefits. Maybe that glass of wine with dinner is worth it for the enjoyment it brings. Or maybe it's time to explore some of the increasingly sophisticated non-alcoholic alternatives hitting the market.
Whatever you decide, at least now you can make that choice with your eyes wide open - and not blurred by the rose-tinted glasses of outdated health claims. Here's to making informed decisions about our health, even if it means occasionally raising a glass of sparkling water instead of champagne.
References
1 Morrison, Cassidy. "Exact Number of Days, Months and Years Alcohol Shaves off Your Life - If You Drink 2, 7 or 10+ Beers a Week." Daily Mail Online, July 6, 2024.
2 Stockwell, Tim et al. "Do 'Moderate' Drinkers Have Reduced Mortality Risk? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Alcohol Consumption and All-Cause Mortality." Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 77, no. 2 (2016): 185-198. 3 Ferrières, Jean. "The French Paradox: Lessons for Other Countries." Heart 90, no. 1 (2004): 107-111. 4 McCambridge, Jim, and Melissa Mialon. "Alcohol Industry Involvement in Science: A Systematic Review of the Content, Context, and Implications of Published Research." Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 79, no. 4 (2018): 560-569. 5 Fillmore, Kaye Middleton et al. "Moderate Alcohol Use and Reduced Mortality Risk: Systematic Error in Prospective Studies and New Hypotheses." Annals of Epidemiology 17, no. 5 (2007): S16-S23. 6 Harvard Health Publishing. "Is Red Wine Actually Good for Your Heart?" Harvard Health, February 14, 2022. 7 Horgan, Conor. "Ireland Becomes First Country to Require Health Warning Labels on Alcohol." The Guardian, May 22, 2023. 8 Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. "Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report." CCSA, January 17, 2023. 9 World Heart Federation. "The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Health: Myths and Measures." World Heart Federation, January 20, 2022. 10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use in the United States." CDC, April 14, 2023. 11 Bogenschutz, Michael P., et al. "Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study." Journal of Psychopharmacology 29.3 (2015): 289-299. 12 Krebs, Teri S., and Pål-Ørjan Johansen. "Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Journal of Psychopharmacology 26.7 (2012): 994-1002. 13 Lukas, Scott E., et al. "An extract of the Chinese herbal root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic setting." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 29.5 (2005): 756-762. 14 McClure, Erin A., et al. "A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine for cannabis use disorder in adults." Drug and Alcohol Dependence 177 (2017): 249-257. 15 Latt, Noeline, and Giorgio Dore. "Thiamine in the treatment of Wernicke encephalopathy in patients with alcohol use disorders." Internal Medicine Journal 44.9 (2014): 911-915. 16 Abenavoli, Ludovico, et al. "Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future." Phytotherapy Research 24.10 (2010): 1423-1432. 17 Kunz, Sabine, et al. "Ear acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal in comparison with aromatherapy: a randomized‐controlled trial." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 31.3 (2007): 436-442. 18 Bao, Wei, et al. "Curcumin alleviates ethanol-induced hepatocytes oxidative damage involving heme oxygenase-1 induction." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 128.2 (2010): 549-553. 19 Das, Subir Kumar, et al. "Vitamin C and vitamin E restore the resistance of GSH-depleted liver microsomes to CCl4 in vitro." Free Radical Research 44.7 (2010): 789-794. 20 Bujanda, Luis, et al. "Effect of resveratrol on alcohol-induced mortality and liver lesions in mice." BMC Gastroenterology 6.1 (2006): 35. 21 Wang, Jing, et al. "Protective effect of ginger on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015 (2015). 22 Ojo, Oluwafemi Adeleke, et al. "Protective effects of green tea extract against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats." Nutrition Research and Practice 10.6 (2016): 546-553. 23 Zhang, Peng, et al. "Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their metabolites in alcoholic liver disease." Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators 144 (2019): 106347. 24 Bull-Otterson, Lara, et al. "Metagenomic analyses of alcohol induced pathogenic alterations in the intestinal microbiome and the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG treatment." PloS one 8.1 (2013): e53028. 25 Pushpakiran, G., et al. "Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and lipid peroxidation in the liver of exercised rats." Redox Report 9.1 (2004): 37-41. 26 Vargas-Mendoza, Nancy, et al. "Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin." World Journal of Hepatology 6.3 (2014): 144. 27 Manzardo, Ann M., et al. "Effects of premature birth on the risk for alcoholism appear to be greater in males than females." Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 72.3 (2011): 390-398.
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