Those who previously suffered from cardiovascular events were excluded from the analysis, as were previous drinkers and those who had not completed information on alcohol intake. & Nbsp | & nbspPhoto Credits: & nbspiStockImages
Main highlights
- Based on data from a UK Biobank study, ARU scholars investigated hospitalizations associated with cardiovascular events in more than 350,000 UK residents aged 40-69 years.
- The sample contained 333,259 people who drank alcohol.
- Participants were asked about their overall weekly alcohol intake and their intake of certain types of alcohol such as beer, wine and spirits.
Cambridge: Contrary to common belief, is a small amount of alcohol bad for your health? A study led by the University of Angliara Skin (ARU) made some shocking discoveries about the same thing.
According to a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, drinking less than 14 units of alcohol per week recommended by the UK increases the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart and cerebrovascular disease.
Based on data from a UK Biobank study, ARU scholars investigated hospitalizations associated with cardiovascular events in more than 350,000 UK residents aged 40-69 years.
The sample contained 333,259 people who drank alcohol. Participants were asked about their overall weekly alcohol intake and their intake of certain types of alcohol such as beer, wine and spirits. These participants were followed up for about 7 years at a median and recorded all cases in which patients were hospitalized for cardiovascular events.
Those who previously suffered from cardiovascular events were excluded from the analysis, as were previous drinkers and those who had not completed information on alcohol intake.
According to the analysis, participants who drank less than 14 units of alcohol per week (recommended limit by the UK Chief Medical Officer) were added 1.5 pints of beer at 4% intensity (alcohol content) each time. The risk of suffering from cardiovascular events has increased by 23%.
The authors have widespread acceptance of a “J-shaped curve” that biases existing epidemiological evidence to falsely suggest that low to moderate alcohol consumption may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Claimed to have brought.
These biases include the use of non-drinkers as a reference group when many do not drink due to poor health, and pools of all drinking types in determining alcohol intake in the study population. , And wine included a low risk of coronary artery disease, which could distort the overall cardiovascular risk of alcohol drinkers.
Dr. Rudolph Schutte, Course Leader and Associate Professor of ARU, Principal Writer, BSc Hons Medical Science Program, said:
“The so-called J-shaped curve of the relationship between cardiovascular disease and alcohol consumption suggests the health benefits of low to moderate alcohol consumption, the largest since smoking was said to be good for us. It’s a myth. “
“Especially among those who drink beer, cider, and spirits, even those who consume less than 14 units per week are at increased risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular events involving the heart and blood vessels. , Our data show that the risk of other cardiovascular events is not reduced. “
He goes on to say, “Bias embedded in epidemiological evidence masks or underestimates the risks associated with alcohol consumption. Given these biases, even low levels of alcohol consumption reveal a negative impact. Will be. “
“Avoiding these biases in future studies will alleviate the current turmoil and hopefully lead to a reduction in current alcohol guidance, which will lead to stronger guidelines,” he concludes. rice field.
