Last week, results of research done by the International Agency for Research on Cancer was released to the public, stating that too much drinking raises the risk of certain types of cancer, including mouth, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon and breast.
This is just another example of how things done in excess can lead to harmful side effects.
The study done by the IARC showed many believe total abstinence from drinking would solve this problem, but that is not the case. Other research done over the years has proven that when done moderately, drinking can help combat and even prevent the risks of cardiovascular diseases.
“Lots of things that we do in life can be good or bad based on how much we use them,” Chris Austin, the assistant director of Health Promotion, said. “If we abuse them, that is where the problem lies.”
According to the World Health Organization, in the year 2000 alcohol was the cause of death of 185,000 men and 142,000 women in developed countries. However, in that same year, alcohol prevented the deaths of 71,000 men and 277,000 women.
“Everything causes cancer in excess,” Matthew Veety, a senior in electrical and computer engineering, said. “People just need to learn to drink responsibly. Moderation is the important key.”
Even the American Heart Association does not have a concrete answer other than drinking excessively will cause negative effects to one’s health. Yet at the same time they admit drinking does have some positive side effects.
According to the AHA website, alcohol or some substances such as resveratrol found in alcoholic beverages may prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together. That may reduce clot formation and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.
“For some people, there are indeed some benefits of using alcohol, but like with anything else, there are some very important guidelines,” Austin said. “But if you’re under 21, you still should not drink at all.”
Both the AHA and the IARC recommend watching how much you drink. While the substances inside alcohol may have scientific benefits, the same benefits can be obtained from regular exercise according to the AHA.
