Anything in moderation is NOT okay (according to the Chicago Tribune) Oct17 '07

The Chicago Tribune ran a front-page story today about alcohol consumption, and how it can lead to cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and liver. Yeah, yeah - all stuff we've heard before. To various degrees, we usually assume these risks are directed towards heavy drinkers, or alcoholics.

The article tells us different, though, and leaves readers with a lot of questions. It is geared towards moderate drinkers, people who consumer a drink or two each day, or even less than that. In fact, the article seems to imply that any amount of alcohol, in any interval, can lead to these diseases.

I get the impression that they are telling us, "unless you never have another drink ever again, you will certainly get these diseases."

It even implies that individuals that lead a healthier lifestyle, for example by exercising often, are still at the same risk level, which I find overly exaggerated.

I, for one, enjoy an alcoholic beverage (or two) with dinner, most nights of the week. And then occasionally on other nights (around twice per month), I'll head out with friends and drink a lot more. I am very healthy though, in that I watch what I eat, exercise regularly, and keep my stress level under control.

Here's the "spin" that the story puts forth, in regards to why "drinkers" have fewer heart-attacks than "non-drinkers":

"People who drink moderately are different from people who don't drink -- they exercise more, they have better medical insurance, their body-mass index is lower." In other words, they might have had fewer heart attacks because of factors other than alcohol intake.

So you're saying that "drinkers" are more health-conscience, by exercising more, and having a lower body-mass index. Won't those same lifestyle choices protect against the same alcohol-related diseases? If exercise helps protect against heart attacks, why can't it help against liver disease? "Non-drinkers" are at less risk for alcohol-related diseases, but since they aren't as "active" as drinkers, they are still at risk for a host of other diseases.

I believe that anything in moderation is OK. As long as you actively lead a healthy lifestyle, you can pretty much consume what you'd like (in moderation).

This article sheds no light on anything new or informative that could help make decisions easier (on whether or not to drink). It simply repeats the same information we've heard elsewhere, and falsely tells us that moderation is not OK.

Categories: Health , Journalism , Links , News

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matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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