[pronut-hiv] BBC: A daily drink "only good for men"

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BBC: A daily drink "only good for men"  

Drinking alcohol every day protects against heart disease in men but
not in women, Danish research shows. 

A study of 50,000 people found that men who drank daily had a 41%
reduced risk of coronary heart disease compared with a 7% drop in men
who drank once a week. 

In women, the risk of heart disease fell by a third with a weekly drink
but did not fall further in daily drinkers. 

Experts warned the results, published in the British Medical Journal,
should not be used to justify heavy drinking. 

Previous research has shown that moderate alcohol intake is associated
with a lower risk of heart disease, but up until now most studies have
been in men. 

Men and women aged 50-65 who took part in this study were questioned on
their drinking behaviour and then followed for an average of six years.

Women drank an average of five and a half drinks a week, and men
consumed 11. 

In men, the risk of heart disease fell significantly with increased
frequency of drinking - with men who drank a little every day having the
lowest risk. 

But for women, although drinking on at least one day a week was
associated with a 36% reduced risk of heart disease compared to those
who drank more rarely, the risk was the same whether women had one drink
a week or drank moderately each day. 

The researchers said how much women drank may be more important for
protection against heart disease than how often they drank. 

Gender difference 

The researchers said there could be several explanations for the
differences found between men and women. 

It may be hormonal, or related to the type of alcohol consumed or there
may be differences in the way men and women's bodies process alcohol. 

Lead researcher Professor Morten Gronbaek from the National Institute
of Public Health in Denmark said: "It has been shown that frequency of
drinking has a larger role than amount but this points towards the fact
there is a gender difference." 

He added that the benefits of alcohol had to be weighed against the
increased risk of cancer and liver damage. 

"One or two drinks in men, or one drink a day in women, would be
sufficient for heart disease - you wouldn't get any more beneficial
effects from drinking more." 

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Annie Britton, senior lecturer at
University College London warned that the study participants had a high
risk of heart disease because of their age. 

And added that the study had a low response rate and so may not have
been fully representative. 

She said: "We do not yet know whether cardioprotective effects accrue
over a lifetime or whether, purely from a health perspective, we should
defer drinking alcohol until older age, when heart disease is manifest."


Judy O'Sullivan, medical spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation
(BHF) said: "This study does not change the fact that alcohol should be
enjoyed in moderation only, both by men and women. 

"If you are teetotal you should not start consuming alcohol in order to
reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease. However, if you
enjoy alcohol you should be aware that the risks of drinking large
quantities significantly outweigh any potential benefits.