Research is dispelling the myth of the glass of wine as an ally for health: alcohol is in fact carcinogenic, causes oxidative stress and interferes with DNA repair
In recent years, public opinion onalcohol as part of a balanced diet has been questioned. While for decades there has been talk about the alleged benefits of a glass of red wine a day for heart health, recent statements by health experts question this belief.
The surgeon general of the United States, Vivek Murthy, has in fact highlighted the risks related to alcohol consumptioneven in moderate quantities. Alcohol, in fact, is recognized as a carcinogenic known to be associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Murthy pointed out that alcohol is responsible for approximately every year 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 deaths in the United States, exceeding even the number of deaths caused by alcohol-related traffic accidents.
It does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
The Dr. Faiz Bhora, professor of surgery and regional director of surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health, explained the mechanisms by which alcohol damages cells. Alcohol causes oxidative stress and interferes with DNA repairincreasing the risk of cancerous cell formation. According to Bhora, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption and the idea that drinking moderately can have beneficial effects has been widely disproved.
In the past, some studies suggested that moderate alcohol consumption could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However such studies have been criticized for their methodology and results, leading many experts to doubt these supposed benefits. Bhora also noted how frequent alcohol consumption is rooted in social and cultural habitsbut highlighted a growing acceptance of refusing alcohol for health reasons.
A change in attitude towards alcohol could bring significant benefits. Bhora suggests reducing alcohol consumption, perhaps starting to limit it to weekends only, and considering eliminate it completely. Many people who have stopped drinking report increased mental clarity and greater productivity.
