Is Alcohol bad for our health?

[antd]

This may seem like a stupid question. However, I've read many sources such as cancer research UK's website. They say any realistic amount of alcohol (1 glass) consumed daily will increase the risk of cancer. And that basically alcohol is a known carcinogen and can cause other diseases.

I then read another website which stated that abstainers from alcohol are more likely to get cancer. Also that alcohol has been given a 'bad name'. They even go as far to say that drinking alcohol can actually be beneficial!! (source: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Health ... 77774.html)

The latter source seems like propaganda by alcoholic beverage companies
But I cannot be sure who is actually telling the truth. I am scared of getting cancer, so I stopped drinking alcohol.

From a scientific basis, Is alcohol bad for our health?
And why would anyone say otherwise? (is it blatant propaganda from alcoholic beverage makers?!)

[JackBean]

If you drink alcoholic beverages, you don't drink only alcohol (EtOH), but usually also lot of other stuff (like resveratrol in wine, humulens in beer) and these can be beneficiall

[jwalin]

but drinking alcohol is not beneficial at all it can lead to many other problems. i do understandthat when someone drinks alcohol he reaches into a meditative state and looses control of his brain, but then why harm your liver reach the same state by doing meditation or even a better state of relaxation and happiness.
anything in excess is bad.
a little of alcohol does good. it can help fight cold and acts as an antitoxin.
but its important that it's very little. or better stil just avoid it.

[JackBean]

anything in excess is bad.

definitelly. Already Paracelsius said, that everything can be poisonous, just the amount matters

a little of alcohol does good. it can help fight cold and acts as an antitoxin.

Yeah, at south Moravia, they could tell you

[CLOVIS]

Alcohol in general is not a bad substance to consume mildly to none at all. However, alcohol on my knowledge doesn't cause cancer, but can increase your risk for heart disease. Alcohol is also a good good antioxidant when applied to wine, not beer. But don't forget, even consuming one glass a day is poisonous to the body. Alcohol affects the liver, and the antioxidants obtained are not worth the effort. Drink at your own risk, but if you do drink, d it lightly.

[jwalin]

yeah antioxidant i missed that.
causes serious liver damage. cirhosis is extremly common.

[JackBean]

alcohol (EtOH) is antioxidant? What the ***?

I guess you meant the additives, as I mentioned before?

[ajri02]

This may seem like a stupid question. However, I've read many sources such as cancer research UK's website. They say any realistic amount of alcohol (1 glass) consumed daily will increase the risk of cancer. And that basically alcohol is a known carcinogen and can cause other diseases.

I then read another website which stated that abstainers from alcohol are more likely to get cancer. Also that alcohol has been given a 'bad name'. They even go as far to say that drinking alcohol can actually be beneficial!! (source: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Health ... 77774.html)

The latter source seems like propaganda by alcoholic beverage companies
But I cannot be sure who is actually telling the truth. I am scared of getting cancer, so I stopped drinking alcohol.

From a scientific basis, Is alcohol bad for our health?
And why would anyone say otherwise? (is it blatant propaganda from alcoholic beverage makers?!)

Oh I read this http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/health ... 64884.html