I think the claims have been over-stated, regarding the healthy aspects of drinking. I can't remember the latest findings, as the research has gone back-and-forth on this: is it the grapes in the red wine that are healthy (hence drinking grape juice would equal the benefits of the wine), or was it the fermenting process of the grapes in the wine that was beneficial?
Honestly...if this were *just* a question of physical health, then looking at the side effects of alcohol in the body probably means it is not a substance to use in order to receive health benefits. Alcohol, (or, rather ethanol) is after all, is a mind-altering drug, something your liver has to contend with.
However, the subject of alcohol is not just a physical health question, as drinking alcohol has social and cultural influences; the psychoactive properties of the drug "help" us to relax or feel stimulated, it can lower our inhibitions and provide us with the slang "liquid courage" in social situations. Alcoholic beverages taste good (usually), and in moderation and when used responsibly, they likely are not going to cause harm in normal, healthy adults.
The question may have to do more with *why* the person is drinking alcohol, rather than to have 0 drinks or 1-2 drinks daily. Not to be a downer, but alcohol is still the number one choice of drugs, and is used by perpetrators in sexual assaults.
Back to the health question-have researchers discovered if it's the alcohol (ethanol), the grapes, or some combination that may provide health benefits? (Another tangent---when looking at "health benefits", the opposite has to be true, too: does NOT drinking alcohol IMPAIR or IMPEDE your health? Probably not. So, then, does drinking alcohol provide health BENEFITS?!)
Lastly, does the research show any health gains in the grains of beer or liquor? Inquiring minds want to know... (if my pomegranate martini is "healthy" or not!!)
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I think the claims have been over-stated, regarding the healthy aspects of drinking. I can't remember the latest findings, as the research has gone back-and-forth on this: is it the grapes in the red wine that are healthy (hence drinking grape juice would equal the benefits of the wine), or was it the fermenting process of the grapes in the wine that was beneficial?
Honestly...if this were *just* a question of physical health, then looking at the side effects of alcohol in the body probably means it is not a substance to use in order to receive health benefits. Alcohol, (or, rather ethanol) is after all, is a mind-altering drug, something your liver has to contend with.
However, the subject of alcohol is not just a physical health question, as drinking alcohol has social and cultural influences; the psychoactive properties of the drug "help" us to relax or feel stimulated, it can lower our inhibitions and provide us with the slang "liquid courage" in social situations. Alcoholic beverages taste good (usually), and in moderation and when used responsibly, they likely are not going to cause harm in normal, healthy adults.
The question may have to do more with *why* the person is drinking alcohol, rather than to have 0 drinks or 1-2 drinks daily. Not to be a downer, but alcohol is still the number one choice of drugs, and is used by perpetrators in sexual assaults.
Back to the health question-have researchers discovered if it's the alcohol (ethanol), the grapes, or some combination that may provide health benefits? (Another tangent---when looking at "health benefits", the opposite has to be true, too: does NOT drinking alcohol IMPAIR or IMPEDE your health? Probably not. So, then, does drinking alcohol provide health BENEFITS?!)
Lastly, does the research show any health gains in the grains of beer or liquor? Inquiring minds want to know... (if my pomegranate martini is "healthy" or not!!)
March 6, 2008 - 4:16pmThis Comment
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