Moderate drinking may contribute to lower heart disease risk
New study suggests moderate drinking may reduce stress signals in the brain
Study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found moderate drinking reduces heart attacks among individuals with anxiety history
In recent years, there has been a great deal of debate surrounding the relationship between alcohol consumption and overall health. According to previous research, moderate drinking has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, as reported by the American College of Cardiology. However, new findings from Mass General Brigham suggest that light-to-moderate drinking may be linked to long-term reductions in stress signals in the brain, which could contribute to this protective effect.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that alcohol consumption was twice as impactful at reducing heart attacks among individuals with a history of anxiety. This research supports the idea that there may be some benefits to moderate drinking, but it is essential to consider other factors such as diet and exercise habits, which are often associated with this level of alcohol consumption.
On the other hand, The New York Times Magazine explored the conflicting guidance on the benefits and risks of drinking in an episode of their podcast,
Dr Tim Stockwell found no amount of alcohol improves health and it could increase one’s risk of dying of any cause.
Harvard University scientists reported that alcohol consumption at all levels was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Accuracy
, An average of two drinks per week can shorten a person's life by three to six days.,
, Consuming one drink per day slashes two and a half months off a person's life.,
Deception
(30%)
The article makes several deceptive statements by implying that moderate drinking is healthy and safe, while failing to disclose the sources of the studies they reference. The author also uses emotional manipulation by stating that Americans have ignored or downplayed the risks associated with drinking due to it being a cultural norm. Additionally, there is selective reporting as the article only reports details that support their position and ignores any contradictory evidence.
An average of just two drinks per week — bottles of beers, regular glasses of wine, or a couple of shots of liquor — across a lifetime can shorten one's life by just three to six days.
Red wine, in particular, has long been considered heart-healthy. It contains compounds called polyphenols, which are believed to help protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart. One particular polyphenol called resveratrol has received the most attention.
It is those who booze heavily — regularly putting away 35 drinks per week (about five drinks per day or two bottles of whiskey over seven days) — that cut their life short by approximately two years.
Alcohol itself is a toxin and which causes cell damage and inflammation as it's metabolized. It can increase blood pressure and contribute to the development of heart disease, interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients, and suppresses the immune system.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by citing Dr. Tim Stockwell's research and opinions multiple times. However, the author also provides evidence from various studies and statistics to support their claims about the health risks of alcohol.
][Dr Tim Stockwell] said that no amount is good for you.[/
According to Dr Kenneth Mukamal, you’d have to drink a hundred to a thousand glasses of red wine daily to get an amount equivalent to the doses that improved health in mice.
[The CDC] graphs show the average number of deaths from excessive alcohol use from 2016 through 2021
[The policy goes into effect in 2026.]
Bias
(95%)
The author, Cassidy Morrison Senior, presents information from Dr. Tim Stockwell about the negative impact of alcohol on life expectancy. However, she also includes statements that suggest a shift in health messaging and the potential dangers of moderate drinking. While these statements do not directly demonstrate bias towards one political or ideological stance, they do lean towards a more cautious approach to alcohol consumption. The author does not use language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable, but she does present information in a way that may raise concerns for those who enjoy moderate drinking.
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.[
Heavy drinkers who consume five drinks a day or more can see their life expectancy shortened by two years or more[
]There is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers.[
Study involving over 129,000 adults found decreased risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases in wine consumers compared to other alcohol drinkers.
Polyphenols, especially resveratrol, anthocyanins and catechins are the most effective wine antioxidants.
Red wine contains an army of antioxidants due to fermentation with grape skins and pips.
Accuracy
Serena Williams and Roger Federer, top tennis players, enjoy fine Italian wines for their health benefits.
Deception
(80%)
The author expresses her personal experiences and opinions throughout the article, making it clear that she is not just reporting facts. She uses emotional manipulation by describing her past experiences with sports and alcohol in a nostalgic way to engage the reader. She also uses selective reporting by focusing on studies that suggest health benefits of red wine while ignoring those that suggest negative effects. The author does mention some scientific studies, but she fails to provide any links or citations for them, making it difficult for the reader to verify their accuracy.
Of course, both have the pockets to afford such luxury wines every day if they wish.
But what about the players? Are they abiding by this mantra of red wine being good for you, even at elite level?
I reached the peak of my sporting career when British athletics legend Fatima Whitbread awarded me a gold medal for (drum roll), the potato sack race.
Previous research has shown an association between drinking alcohol and having a lower risk of heart disease according to the American College of Cardiology.
δ1 drink a day for women and one or two drinks a day for men is recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
δ754 individuals who also had brain imaging on file found that alcohol consumption was twice as impactful at reducing heart attacks among individuals with a history of anxiety.
Alcohol use over time quiets the amygdala, a small structure in the brain that plays a role in emotion, stress response, and behavior.
Accuracy
New Mass General Brigham study found that light-to-moderate drinking is associated with long-term reductions in stress signals in the brain.
Lower stress signals were associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes.
>1 drink a day for women and one or two drinks a day for men is recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
>754 individuals who also had brain imaging on file found that alcohol consumption was twice as impactful at reducing heart attacks among individuals with a history of anxiety.<
