Moderate alcohol consumption and the immune system: A review

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (S1) ◽  
pp. S111-S115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Romeo ◽  
Julia Wärnberg ◽  
Esther Nova ◽  
Ligia E. Díaz ◽  
Sonia Gómez-Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Moderate Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Beverage Type ◽  
Wide Range

Increasing evidence suggests that light to moderate amounts of polyphenol-rich alcoholic beverages like wine or beer could have health benefits. Scientists have long debated the effects of alcohol on immune function, showing on the one hand, that high doses of alcohol consumption can directly suppress a wide range of immune responses, and that alcohol abuse is associated with an increased incidence of a number of infectious diseases. On the other hand, moderate alcohol consumption seems to have a beneficial impact on the immune system compared to alcohol abuse or abstinence. Therefore, the link between alcohol consumption, immune response, as well as infectious and inflammatory processes remains not completely understood. With this in mind, it is important to realise that other factors, unrelated or indirectly related to immune function, like drinking patterns, beverage type, amount of alcohol, or gender differences, will affect the influence that alcohol consumption may have on the immune system. This review summarises published data describing the effects that light to moderate amounts of polyphenol-rich beverages like wine or beer seem to have on immunity in healthy adults.

scholarly journals Drinking pattern and socio-cultural aspects on immune response: an overview

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Romeo ◽  
Julia Wärnberg ◽  
Ascensión Marcos
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Moderate Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Global Risk ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Beverage Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Beneficial Impact

Social acceptance of drinking involves social and cultural roles and has important implications for public health. Since extensive evidence indicates that alcohol possesses immunomodulatory properties, scientists have recently debated the influence of alcohol consumption on the immune response, particularly in countries where drinking in a social setting is a part of cultural identity. Experimental and clinical data support the conclusion that alcohol is a potent immunomodulator. While high alcohol consumption suppresses a wide range of immune responses, leading to an increased incidence of a number of infectious diseases, moderate alcohol consumption may have a beneficial impact on the immune system, compared to alcohol abuse or abstinence, most likely due to the multiple components of polyphenol-rich alcoholic contributing to the protective effect seen for moderate alcohol consumption on CVD and the immune system. Despite this, the scientific literature appears to be concerned about the diseases associated with excessive drinking in some societies and cultures. Thus, the present review recognizes the importance to consider social and cultural aspects of drinking when examining the whole dimension of alcohol consumption (amount, beverage type, frequency and variability), in order to estimate global risk of consequences on host defence to better understand alcohol-related harm or benefit.

scholarly journals Self-Rated Aversion to Taste Qualities and the PROP Taster Phenotype Associate with Alcoholic Beverage Intake and Preference

Beverages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Gary J. Pickering ◽  
Margaret K. Thibodeau
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Red Wine ◽  
Alcoholic Beverage ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
White Wine ◽  
Sensory Attributes ◽  
Taste Perception ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Beverage Type

Consumers often identify “taste” as an important factor when selecting alcoholic beverages. Although it is assumed that reduced alcohol consumption in PROP super-tasters is due to a greater dislike of the nominally aversive sensations that they experience more intensely (e.g., bitterness) when compared to PROP non-tasters, this question has not been specifically asked to them. Therefore, we examined consumers’ self-reported aversion towards specific sensory attributes (bitter, hot/burn, dry, sour, sweet, carbonation) for four alcoholic beverage types (white wine, red wine, beer, spirits) using a convenience sample of U.S. wine consumers (n = 925). Participants rated 18 statements describing different combinations of sensory attributes and alcoholic beverages on a 5-point Likert scale (e.g., Beer tastes too bitter for me). Individuals who tended to agree more strongly with the statements (i.e., they were more averse; p(F) < 0.05) tended to (i) consume less of all beverage types, (ii) consume a higher proportion of white wine (p(r) < 0.05), and (iii) were more likely to be female or PROP super-tasters. The results suggest that self-reported aversion to specific sensory attributes is associated with not only lower overall intake of alcoholic beverages, but also a shift in the relative proportions of beverage type consumed; a key finding for studies investigating how taste perception impacts alcohol consumption.

Abstract P002: Heavy Alcohol Consumption Increases the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation -Circulatory Risk in Communities Study(CIRCS)

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumihiko Sano ◽  
Tetsuya Ohira ◽  
Akihiko Kitamura ◽  
Hironori Imano ◽  
Renzhe Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Moderate Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Heavy Alcohol ◽  
Ethanol Drinking ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Detailed Medical History ◽  
Heavy Alcohol Consumption

Background— Evidence on the relationship of a wide range of alcohol consumption with risk of incident atrial fibrillation has been limited. Methods— Between 1991 and 1995, 8602 Japanese men and women aged 30 to 80 years and free of clinical atrial fibrillation took part in the first examination of the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study(CIRCS)- a population based cohort study of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular disease incidence, and their trends in Japanese communities. In the first examination, we checked a detailed medical history, physical examination, blood and urine examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG). An interviewer obtained histories in detail for weekly alcohol intake. In the follow-up period, incident atrial fibrillations were ascertained by annual ECG record and medical history of treatment of atrial fibrillation. ECGs were coded with the Minnesota Code by trained physician-epidemiologists. Differences in baseline characteristics between atrial fibrillation cases and controls were compared using Student t-tests or chi-squared tests. The hazard ratios (HRs) of incidence of atrial fibrillation and 95% confidence interval (CI) relative to the never-drinking group were calculated with adjustment for age and other potential confounding factors using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results— During an average follow-up of 6.4 years, 290 incident atrial fibrillation occurred. The higher incidence rate of atrial fibrillation was observed among participants with more than 69 g of ethanol drinking per week, compared with less than 69 g of ethanol drinking per week. On the other hand, light to moderate alcohol consumption was not associated with risk of atrial fibrillation. Compared with the never drinking group, the multivariable-adjusted HRs of past, light (<23 g), light moderate (23-46 g), moderate (46-69 g), and heavy (>69 g) drinking groups were 1.20 (95% CI, 0.61-2.35), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.57-1.27), 1.05 (95% CI, 0.63-1.75), 1.34 (95% CI, 0.78-2.32), and 2.92 (95% CI, 1.61-5.28), respectively. Conclusions— Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with the higher risk of atrial fibrillation, whereas there was no association of less than moderate alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation.

The Earliest Toasts

2019 ◽  
pp. 60-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Guerra-Doce
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Alcoholic Drinks ◽  
Religious Factors ◽  
Archaeological Perspective

The taste for alcohol is not exclusive to humans, as some other animal species are attracted to ripe fruits and nectar due to the natural occurrence of ethanol. However, what makes Homo sapiens different is their capacity to produce alcoholic beverages. From the Neolithic, if not earlier, the production of alcoholic drinks is documented, and this production ensured the supply of alcohol. Consequently, alcohol consumption was no longer sporadic and occasional. This process ran in parallel to the development of specific alcohol-related equipment, and organized drinking patterns gradually became more and more formalized. Its use has depended not only on its effects, mainly its capacity to enhance sociability, but also on historical, economic, and religious factors. The aim of this chapter is to search for the origins of this dynamic in prehistoric Europe from an archaeological perspective in order to explore the foundations of the cultural construction of alcohol.

scholarly journals May Alcohol-Induced Increase of HDL Be Considered as Atheroprotective?

2010 ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Králová Lesná ◽  
P Suchánek ◽  
P Stávek ◽  
R Poledne
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Reverse Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Cholesterol Efflux ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Crossover Design ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Moderate Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Border Line ◽  
Human Macrophages

It is well known that the consumption of moderate doses of alcohol leads to the increase of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). Atheroprotectivity of HDL particles is based primarily on their role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). In the study with a crossover design 13 male volunteers were studied in two different regimens: i) drinking of 36 g alcohol daily and ii) drinking only non-alcoholic beverages, to test whether alcohol-induced increase of HDL cholesterol can affect cholesterol efflux (CHE) from cell culture of labeled human macrophages. Alcohol consumption induced significant (p<0.05) increases of HDL cholesterol from 1.25±0.32 to 1.34±0.38 mmol/l and Apo A1 from 1.34±0.16 to 1.44±0.19 g/l. These changes were combined with a slight increase of cholesterol efflux from 13.8±2.15 to 14.9±1.85 % (p=0.059). There were significant correlations between individual changes of HDL-C and Apo A1 concentrations and individual changes of CHE (0.51 and 0.60, respectively). In conclusion, moderate alcohol consumption changes the capacity of plasma to induce CHE only at a border line significance.

scholarly journals Do emotions related to alcohol consumption differ by alcohol type? An international cross-sectional survey of emotions associated with alcohol consumption and influence on drink choice in different settings

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e016089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Ashton ◽  
Mark A Bellis ◽  
Alisha R Davies ◽  
Karen Hughes ◽  
Adam Winstock
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
White Wine ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Alcohol Dependency ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive And Negative Emotions

ObjectivesTo examine the emotions associated with drinking different types of alcohol, explore whether these emotions differ by sociodemographics and alcohol dependency and whether the emotions associated with different drink types influence people’s choice of drinks in different settings.DesignInternational cross-sectional opportunistic survey (Global Drug Survey) using an online anonymous questionnaire in 11 languages promoted through newspapers, magazines and social media from November 2015 to January 2016.Study populationIndividuals aged 18–34 years who reported consumption of beer, spirits, red and white wine in the previous 12 months and were resident in countries with more than 200 respondents (n=21 countries; 29 836 respondents).Main outcome measuresPositive and negative emotions associated with consumption of different alcoholic beverages (energised, relaxed, sexy, confident, tired, aggressive, ill, restless and tearful) over the past 12 months in different settings.ResultsAlcoholic beverages vary in the types of emotions individuals report they elicit, with spirits more frequently eliciting emotional changes of all types. Overall 29.8% of respondents reported feeling aggressive when drinking spirits, compared with only 7.1% when drinking red wine (p<0.001). Women more frequently reported feeling all emotions when drinking alcohol, apart from feelings of aggression. Respondents’ level of alcohol dependency was strongly associated with feeling all emotions, with the likelihood of aggression being significantly higher in possible dependent versus low risk drinkers (adjusted OR 6.4; 95% CI 5.79 to 7.09; p<0.001). The odds of feeling the majority of positive and negative emotions also remained highest among dependent drinkers irrespective of setting.ConclusionUnderstanding emotions associated with alcohol consumption is imperative to addressing alcohol misuse, providing insight into what emotions influence drink choice between different groups in the population. The differences identified between sociodemographic groups and influences on drink choice within different settings will aid future public health practice to further comprehend individuals’ drinking patterns and influence behaviour change.

scholarly journals Drinking beer, wine or spirits – does it matter for inequalities in alcohol-related hospital admission? A record-linked longitudinal study in Wales

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Gartner ◽  
Laszlo Trefan ◽  
Simon Moore ◽  
Ashley Akbari ◽  
Shantini Paranjothy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Housing Tenure ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Beverage Type ◽  
Alcohol Related Harm ◽  
Related Harm ◽  
Deprived Areas

Abstract Background Alcohol-related harm has been found to be higher in disadvantaged groups, despite similar alcohol consumption to advantaged groups. This is known as the alcohol harm paradox. Beverage type is reportedly socioeconomically patterned but has not been included in longitudinal studies investigating record-linked alcohol consumption and harm. We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent consumption by beverage type, BMI, smoking and other factors explain inequalities in alcohol-related harm. Methods 11,038 respondents to the Welsh Health Survey answered questions on their health and lifestyle. Responses were record-linked to wholly attributable alcohol-related hospital admissions (ARHA) eight years before the survey month and until the end of 2016 within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We used survival analysis, specifically multi-level and multi-failure Cox mixed effects models, to calculate the hazard ratios of ARHA. In adjusted models we included the number of units consumed by beverage type and other factors, censoring for death or moving out of Wales. Results People living in more deprived areas had a higher risk of admission (HR 1.75; 95% CI 1.23–2.48) compared to less deprived. Adjustment for the number of units by type of alcohol consumed only reduced the risk of ARHA for more deprived areas by 4% (HR 1.72; 95% CI 1.21–2.44), whilst adding smoking and BMI reduced these inequalities by 35.7% (HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.01–2.17). These social patterns were similar for individual-level social class, employment, housing tenure and highest qualification. Inequalities were further reduced by including either health status (16.6%) or mental health condition (5%). Unit increases of spirits drunk were positively associated with increasing risk of ARHA (HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01–1.12), higher than for other drink types. Conclusions Although consumption by beverage type was socioeconomically patterned, it did not help explain inequalities in alcohol-related harm. Smoking and BMI explained around a third of inequalities, but lower socioeconomic groups had a persistently higher risk of (multiple) ARHA. Comorbidities also explained a further proportion of inequalities and need further investigation, including the contribution of specific conditions. The increased harms from consumption of stronger alcoholic beverages may inform public health policy.

scholarly journals Imaging of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Emergencies in Binge Drinking

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-61
Author(s):  
Trishna R. Shimpi ◽  
Sumer N. Shikhare ◽  
Raymond Chung ◽  
Peng Wu ◽  
Wilfred C.G. Peh
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Transarterial Embolization ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Emergency Laparotomy ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Abdominal Emergencies

Excess alcohol consumption is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality globally. The pattern of consumption of alcoholic beverages has changed in our society in the recent past, with binge drinking becoming more and more common, especially among young adults. Abdominal pain following alcohol consumption can be secondary to a wide range of pathologies, the treatment algorithm of which can range from medical supportive treatment to more invasive life-saving procedures such as transarterial embolization and emergency laparotomy. Correct diagnosis, differentiation among these conditions, and implementing the correct management algorithm is heavily reliant on accurate and appropriate imaging. We review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging features and management options of acute abdominal emergencies secondary to binge drinking, based on a selection of illustrative cases.

Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case-control Study in a Japanese Population

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1363-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHIKAKO KIYOHARA ◽  
MASAKAZU WASHIO ◽  
TAKAHIKO HORIUCHI ◽  
TOYOKO ASAMI ◽  
SABURO IDE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Alcoholic Beverage ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Moderate Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Relationship Of

Objective.Cigarette smoking may be associated with increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), whereas the role of alcohol consumption is unknown. We examined the association between SLE risk and smoking or drinking.Methods.We investigated the relationship of smoking and drinking compared to SLE risk among 171 SLE cases and 492 healthy controls in female Japanese subjects. Unconditional logistic regression was used to compute OR and 95% CI, with adjustments for several covariates.Results.Compared with nonsmoking, current smoking was significantly associated with increased risk of SLE (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.86–5.03). The higher the level of exposure to cigarette smoke, the higher the risk of SLE. Inhalation was also associated with increased SLE risk (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.46–9.94 for moderate inhalation; OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.81–5.15 for deep inhalation). In contrast, light/moderate alcohol consumption had a protective effect on SLE risk (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19–0.76). As for beer, the risks for non-beer drinkers and beer drinkers were similar. This also applies to alcoholic beverages other than beer.Conclusion.Our results suggest that smoking was positively associated with increased SLE risk whereas light/moderate alcohol consumption was inversely associated with SLE risk, irrespective of the type of alcoholic beverage. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

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