News
Is alcohol consumption associated with the risk of prostate cancer?
A meta-analysis, published in the journal nutrients, studies the relation between alcohol consumption and prostate cancer. Total alcohol consumption seems not associated with aggressive nor non-aggressive prostate cancer. However, looking at different types of alcoholic drinks, results show a wide variety of associations ranging from a decreased to increased risk.
Unraveling the relation between alcohol and hypertension: the role of gender and race
The risk of hypertension seems to already increase with low levels of alcohol consumption. But are there possible differences for gender, race and alcoholic beverage? A recent meta-analysis finds that men and black people are at higher risk of hypertension with moderate alcohol consumption. Results also suggest that the risk of hypertension is higher when drinking liquor compared to wine and beer.
Thinking about alcohol: meta-analysis explores the relationship between alcohol consumption and the progression of dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment
Alcohol consumption is indisputably harmful to the developing brain, but what about the aging brain? Researchers investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption in people with mild cognitive impairment and people who progress to dementia. The meta-analysis, published in the journal of Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, shows an increased risk of dementia progression for heavy alcohol consumption, but no association for light to moderate drinking.
Meta-analysis finds no association between alcohol consumption and formation of blood clots in veins
Low to moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a decreased risk in cardiovascular diseases. But there is still limited research towards the relation between alcohol consumption and the risk of blood clot formation in veins, also called venous thromboembolism. A recently published meta-analysis, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, is the first one looking at this relation. Results suggest that there is no association between the two.
The cardiovascular effects of beer: a meta-analysis looking at experimental evidence
A lot of research has already been done towards the relation between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease, and many studies – both epidemiological and experimental – find evidence for a possible protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption. But is this the case for all alcoholic beverages? For the first time, a meta-analysis, published in PLoS ONE, only looks at experimental studies with beer consumption. Results indicate improvement in vascular elasticity and the authors conclude that beneficial effect of beer on endothelial function is likely.
Does alcohol consumption influence cognition? A critical meta-analysis
A recent meta-analysis, published in the scientific journal Systematic Reviews, did a thorough analysis on the relation between alcohol consumption and cognition. Results show slightly better cognition among women who drink in moderation compared to those who currently do not drink. However, the authors emphasize that it is unknown whether this is due to the alcohol itself or due to limitations in study designs.
Research grant € 5,000
The Dutch Beer Institute yearly offers a grant of € 5,000 to support a research project. This project should focus on biomedical, nutritional or (psycho-)social aspects of responsible alcohol consumption, specifically taking into account (non-alcoholic) beer.
What is the link between moderate alcohol consumption and dementia?
Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia. But meta-analyses show that the association between alcohol consumption and dementia is not linear, which suggests a possible protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption. A recently published review in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment argues that the epidemiological studies are not sufficient to verify a protective effect of alcohol on dementia development. But there are some possible physiological explanations.
Meta-analysis finds J-shaped relation between alcohol consumption and CVD risk for men in community settings
A recently published meta-analysis in BMC Public Health tries to assess whether the protective effects of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease are true for people living in community settings. Results show the traditional J-curve with protective effects of moderate alcohol consumption for men. However, no protective effects are found for men with three or more comorbidities and people younger than 40 years.
COVID-19: how does alcohol consumption affect the immune system?
With the COVID 19 virus having a major effect on public health, the topic of how to strengthen our immune system has received extra attention. So, what is the effect of alcohol consumption on our immune system? Looking at the science, there is consensus that chronic heavy alcohol consumption has a detrimental effect on our immune system, but this does not seem to be the case for moderate alcohol consumption. Moderation remains key.