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Are you feeling frightened yet?
You definitely should be, especially if you have a passion for beer or wine.
Last week, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a statement cautioning Americans that the consumption of alcoholic drinks may lead to cancer.
Dr. Murthy highlighted in his advisory that "Alcohol is a recognized and preventable contributor to cancer, accounting for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year in the United States." He recommended that all alcoholic drinks should carry cancer warning labels.
This was merely the most recent in a series of alerts regarding the perils of Demon Alcohol.
“According to a headline on CNBC, a doctor claims that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption, stating that even a daily glass of red wine poses risks.”
According to the New York Times, "Even small amounts of alcohol can be detrimental to your health."
Stay updated with the finest editorials, opinion pieces, and insights from NJ.com writers. Enter your email below:That definitely sounds frightening, and my colleagues in the mainstream media have a tendency to sensationalize stories that create fear.
Maybe that's the reason the media paid little attention to the other report that came out last month.
That report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine addressed the key question at issue in the ongoing debate on alcohol.
This brings us to the topic of "all-cause mortality." If alcohol consumption is leading to a higher rate of cancer-related deaths among drinkers, it would raise some alarms. However, the study indicates otherwise: Surprisingly, they are actually living longer.
According to a statement from the National Academies, "The report ultimately suggests with a reasonable degree of confidence that moderate alcohol consumption is linked to reduced all-cause mortality when compared to individuals who have never consumed alcohol."
One potential explanation is that alcohol may benefit the cardiovascular system. This is due to its ability to raise levels of HDL in the bloodstream. HDL, often referred to as "good cholesterol," helps to remove the harmful LDL cholesterol from the arteries.
There are essentially two straightforward methods to boost HDL levels: consuming alcohol and engaging in physical activity. My secret to longevity is to take a run in the evening, followed by savoring a few craft beers.
Am I afraid of cancer? Not really. Everyone will eventually pass away from something, but heart disease remains the leading cause of death among Americans, as reported by the CDC.
If enjoying a craft beer or a glass of wine can enhance your chances of preventing a heart attack, what reason do you have to skip it?
Definitely not just because the Surgeon General recommends it.
That’s the view of Jeffrey Singer, a medical doctor who consults for the Cato Institute.
"The title of surgeon general can be misleading," noted Singer, a qualified surgeon himself. "In reality, the Surgeon General is simply a physician whose responsibilities have evolved significantly over the years."
The post began in 1798 with the duty of treating the sailors in the Merchant Marine. It continued to have a low profile, but then along came C. Everett Koop, who was Ronald Reagan’s surgeon general.
Initially, he tackled the issue of tobacco, which is certainly a danger to public health.
However, it wasn't long before individuals began turning to the Surgeon General for guidance on how to lead their lives.
In this instance, Murthy contends that there is a general agreement among health experts regarding the cancer risks associated with alcoholic drinks.
"There isn't a clear agreement on this matter," stated Singer. He criticized alarmists like Murthy for selectively choosing studies that highlight the dangers of moderate drinking to bolster his claim that all alcoholic drinks should carry cancer warning labels.
"Some claim it's advantageous, while others argue the opposite," Singer remarked. "If he truly wishes to be truthful, he ought to acknowledge that opinions vary widely."
According to Singer, alcohol in drinks is entirely natural: “Humans have been consuming it since the dawn of time, even in prehistoric eras.”
If it had harmed that individual, it would never have become a fundamental part of human nutrition.
Actually, alcohol is one of only four energy sources for the body. The other three include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. When consumed excessively, all of these can lead to obesity, which in turn may increase the risk of cancer.
Why not consider placing warning labels on all food items?
Individuals might overlook these warnings just as they have disregarded the guidance related to other dangers associated with bottles and cans. These labels caution, among other things, that "drinking alcoholic beverages can hinder your ability to operate a vehicle."
If you have to squint at the small print on a beer can to determine that, maybe you never should have been granted a driver's license to begin with.
Singer remarked that this recent panic exemplifies typical media sensationalism. "For some reason, my colleagues in journalism seem to have a penchant for embracing negative stories," he noted.
"Isn't it true that 'if it bleeds, it leads?'" Singer remarked. "That's the saying, right?"
That's what people claim.
In this instance, they are correct.
