News
Alcohol and sleep apnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea is characterized by short interruptions of breathing while sleeping. The overall advice with this disorder is not to drink too much alcohol. This is a first meta-analysis looking at the scientific evidence. The data suggest that alcohol consumption is indeed associated with a higher risk of sleep apnoea. Clear conclusions are limited and more research is needed. The results were published in the scientific journal Sleep Medicine.
Meta-analysis on the association between alcohol and uterine myoma
Uterine myoma is a benign tumor in the muscle tissue of the uterus. A recent meta-analysis, published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE, looks at the association between myoma and alcohol consumption in women. However, data is limited and more research is needed to draw a clear conclusion.
Effect of alcohol consumption on female fecundability: a meta-analysis
Alcohol consumption seems to have a negative effect on the probability of becoming pregnant during one single menstrual cycle. Every 12.5 g alcohol per day (one large glass) decreases the fecundability in women with 2%. That is the conclusion of a first meta-analysis and systematic review that was recently published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.
Meta-analyses: light to moderate alcohol consumption seems to decrease risk of gastric cancer whilst higher alcohol consumption increases it
Heavy alcohol consumption can increase the risk of gastric cancer (both in men and women), while light to moderate alcohol consumptive could decrease this risk (especially in women). Heavy consumption of spirits seems to be associated with the highest risk of gastric cancer. That is the conclusion of three meta-analyses that were recently published in the scientific journal Oncotarget
First meta-analysis on the association between alcohol and local enlargement of the abdominal aorta
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a cardiovascular disease where the aorta in the abdomen is larger than normal. A recent meta-analysis, published in the scientific journal British Journal of Surgery, looks at the association between alcohol consumption and this disease. The researchers found a lower risk when consuming 10-15g alcohol per day. More research is needed to further investigate the association.
Alcohol consumption and frailty among elderly: a meta-analysis
The number of elderly is growing in Europe. Two recent studies looked at the association between alcohol consumption and frailty among this group. Elderly who consume alcohol (up to 40 g/day) appear to have a lower risk of frailty compared to their non-drinking peers. It is unclear what causes this association and whether confounding factors are playing a role. The results were recently published in the scientific journals Age and Ageing and Bioscience Trends.
Moderate alcohol consumption within a balanced lifestyle – conference at the European Parliament
On Wednesday 29 November 2017, at the European Parliament in Brussels, a conference took place on moderate alcohol consumption within a balanced lifestyle. European scientists showed that moderate and responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages by healthy adults can be fully compatible with a balanced lifestyle and may incur several health benefits. During the conference, all speakers stressed that harmful consumption of alcohol should be prevented. Education and prevention programmes to target alcohol misuse, with involvement of the alcohol industry, are therefore very important.
Alcohol and incident atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Low alcohol consumption (up to 6-7 drinks per week) is not associated with the development of atrial fibrillation. The risk of atrial fibrillation seems to increase with moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks per day) in men and with high alcohol consumption (different definitions) in women. These were the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis, recently published in the scientific journal International Journal of Cardiology.
Alcohol and gastrointestinal disorders: a systematic review
What we eat and drink can have a lot of influence on our gastrointestinal tract. For the first time, researchers systematically reviewed the effect of alcohol on gastrointestinal disorders. A limited number of available studies indicates that overall alcohol is not associated with the most common gastrointestinal disorders; more than 6 glasses of alcohol per week could have a negative effect. The results are recently published in the scientific journal Best Practice and Research: Clinical Gastroenterology.
Meta-analysis: lower risk of atherosclerosis with moderate alcohol consumption
Moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk of atherosclerosis. This happens through beneficial changes in lipid profiles and inflammation. That is the conclusion of a meta-analysis that was recently published in the scientific journal Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift.