This work is based on researches focused on how alcohol use influences human health. The use of alcohol and its health effects has been studied by a great number of scientists throughout many years. The issue discussed in giving articles touches an important debatable question concerning the benefits of alcohol drinking. There are facts which prove that though alcohol is the most spread substance causing addiction it can have benefits if used in safe amounts.
Patricia Reaney describes in her article that molecules found in red wine can influence on lifespan of obese mice and “reduce the negative health effects of eating a high-calorie diet” (2006). It was explained that molecule resveratrol activated body’s defense mechanisms against aging, moreover, mice showed better results examining blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and general activity. According to Anne Underwood, alcohol in measured doses is can be beneficial for people as enhancing of insulin sensitivity lead to lower rates of type 2 diabetes (2005). The author of the study asserted that these findings also work with mammals. Certainly, the most important questions which should be examined are how it works and if it can work with people.
Everyone knows that alcohol affects all parts of the human organism and can cause serious diseases. The scientists tried to find out a link between alcohol and rectal cancer. Though drinkers reported double risk of rectal cancer, the next article informed readers that “while drinking too much alcohol could increase the risk of rectal cancer, wine drinkers experienced the benefits that cancelled this out” (BBC News, 2003).
If there are benefits from using alcohol it is necessary to mention that they can come only from moderate intake, doctors defined that a safe amount of alcohol is “two drinks a day for men or a miserly one a day for women” (Anne Underwood, 2005). The scientists have found some more facts concerning alcohol impact on human health: due to good cholesterol arteries are clearer of plaque, alcohol can have anti-inflammatory features and makes blood less sticky that is the irrefutable evidence of benefits for the heart. In addition to given arguments alcohol in measured doses can help older adults reduce development of physical disabilities, but the author of the corresponding study has indicated that it works only with healthy seniors. “After controlling for confounding variables such as age, smoking, exercise, heart attacks and strokes, the benefits of alcohol consumption were seen only in seniors who rated their health as good or better” (Enrique Rivero, 2009).
In fact, moderate alcohol consumption has influence not only on health, but the economic state of a person. Economics scientists have displayed the report, which showed that drinkers earn more money than abstainers do; it is explained by the view that social drinking increasing social capital, despite the belief that alcohol consumption has negative effect on the economy (Bethany L. Peters and Edward Stringham, 2006).
All given articles are narrowed by certain area of study, but in order to make reasonable true conclusions it is necessary to take into account many aspects including age, state of health, social status and the peculiarities of heredity. All benefits which can be taken from using alcohol are possible only with moderate alcohol intake. Those who exceed admissible consumption rates are at risk of developing serious health problems and its consequences.
References
2003. Alcohol doubles rectal cancer risk. BBS New. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3021503.stm>
Peters Bethany L. and Stringham E., 2006. Report: Drinkers Earn More Money Than Non-Drinkers. < http://reason.org/news/show/report-drinkers-earn-more-mone>
Reaney P., 2006. Red wine molecule helps mice live longer. <http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2006/1779404.htm>
Rivero E., 2009. Moderate alcohol consumption may help seniors keep disabilities at bay. < http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/moderate-alcohol-consumption-may-78427>
Underwood A., 2005. A Healthy Toast; It's Not Just Wine That Protects the Heart. All Alcohol Has Cardiac Benefits-In Moderation.
