1. Neurology
  2. Should Doctors ‘Prescribe’ a Drink

Should Doctors ‘Prescribe’ a Drink a Day? No.

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From the NYTimes:

The evidence regarding wine versus other beverages like grape juice is mixed.

For most people, low-risk drinking is not harmful to health — and may be helpful. However, I would discourage people from drinking in order to improve their health.
Compared with non-drinkers, men who consumed wine, beer, or spirits had a 36% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 34% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality.
Before you recommend wine for cardiovascular risk reduction, consider this:
- One in five men at risk of drinking problem during their lifetimes
- Women have an 8 to 10 percent chance of becoming dependent on alcohol during their lifetimes
- Men have 15% lifetime risk for alcohol abuse, 10% risk for alcohol dependence. Each cuts your life short by 10-15 years.
- Heavy drinking increases risk of depression by 40%, and 80% of people dependent on alcohol are smokers

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  1. Neurology
  2. Should Doctors ‘Prescribe’ a Drink