Just in case you weren’t already confused enough about whether or not a glass a day would keep the doctor away or perhaps knocking on your door yet another report adds light to the benefits of alcohol.
A report by Spanish doctors released earlier this month seems to indicate that men with moderate, high and very high levels of alcohol consumption enjoyed reduced levels of heart disease. Women unfortunately weren’t so fortunate. Immediately after this article was released many took to the airwaves to warn immediately that this wasn’t a green light to consume tens of units a week as whilst the heart might not mind the rest of the body invariably would!
With the recent changes in licensing laws in effect increasing the availability of alcohol and also the number of outlets that are now able to sell to the public this is only going to become more of an issue.
Education is surely the way to improve the situation but if the experts themselves can’t even agree on the benefits or consequences of alcohol consumption what chance does the everyday member of the public have. There is no question that alcohol abuse is costing the tax payer millions upon millions of pounds. I am also sure that the industry has a responsibility to become involved actively not only in the education but also in the policing of irresponsible drinking. But I am also convinced that we need a coherent guide from the top and some common sense introduced into the whole debate.
There is no question in my mind that continued high level consumption of alcohol can’t be a good thing. But I am also firmly of the belief that enjoyed sensibly wine and whisky, two of my favourite hobbies, can bring hours of pleasure and enjoyment.
So where do we go from here? Answers on a postcard please….
