Alcohol consumption: risks and benefits - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Alcohol consumption: risks and benefits

Kenneth J Mukamal et al. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2008 Dec.

Abstract

Alcohol has had a long and complicated role in human society and health. Excessive use of alcohol causes enormous morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the health effects of alcohol use within recommended guidelines are diverse and complex. Established effects include increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and antithrombotic activity, providing plausible mechanisms for the observed association of moderate drinking with lower risk of coronary heart disease but higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke. However, moderate drinking increases sex steroid hormone levels and may interfere with folate metabolism, both of which are potential mechanisms for the observed associations of moderate drinking with several forms of cancer, particularly breast and colorectal. Genetic susceptibility to the effects of alcohol on cancer and coronary heart disease also differs across the population. Recommendations regarding moderate drinking must be individualized to reflect the potentially competing effects of alcohol on several chronic diseases.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Arch Intern Med. 2004 Oct 11;164(18):1993-8 - PubMed
    1. J Lipid Res. 2001 Dec;42(12):2077-83 - PubMed
    1. JAMA. 1999 May 5;281(17):1632-7 - PubMed
    1. N Engl J Med. 2003 Jan 9;348(2):109-18 - PubMed
    1. Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Jan 1;167(1):34-41 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources