NationStates Jolt Archive

This may have already come up, but a situation has arisen where a new slew of studies have been indicating direct links between extreme degrees of cancer risk and alcohol consumption. Of course few would argue any positive health benefits from excessive use, the current studies are a little more disconcerting (especially considering research recommending a 1 1/2 beers or glasses of red wine a day) ...
http://www.nbc5.com/health/14368710/detail.html
http://www.sunherald.com/living/health/story/153047.html
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/NEWS07/709280325
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003964954_booze21.html

Being somewhat fond of science and research myself, i'm finding this issue not only unsettling but it's kinda pissing me off.

What do you all think?

I think that life would be very dull if one were to eliminate every single practice that could lead to the early onset of a disease. Eat and drink in moderation, exercise hard and let the rest work itself out.

And what the hell is 100 grams of alcohol, anyway? If you aren't going to measure it in fluid ounces like a civilized person, how about measuring it in cubic centimeters, at least.

One could live in a protective bubble all their life and never touch the outside world. I am sure that would maybe add a few years to their life. In the end they still die just like everyone else. Why waste time worrying about something that is going to happen to you. Have some fun and make the best out of life. Don't run out and become an alcoholic but a few drinks is not a big deal.

Trading a nightcap for a dirtnap?

Astonishing!

That people still use the word nightcap.

The problem with the "benefits" of alcohol like red wine is that they can be achieved by drinking grape juice without worrying about what the alcohol does.

Alcohol does not help your body in any way that could not be done more safely, more easily, and with far less harm with other substances, and as such should not be drunk. [/obligatory anti-alcohol rant]

Hey, you can take the nightcap and still take the dirtnap. It's called waking up dead. ;)

Astonishing!

That people still use the word nightcap.

Hey, like i'd said about Anselmo on another thread about "too many masters" ...
:D

I think that life would be very dull if one were to eliminate every single practice that could lead to the early onset of a disease. Eat and drink in moderation, exercise hard and let the rest work itself out.Normally, yes, that's quite sensible. As is, it's also quite sensible to adjust your approach to a situation if the risk assessment is also adjusted. 30% isn't something to .. cough at.
I'm personally surprised by these studies, even though i was one of the lucky folk to grow up in an alcoholic environment and had long since determined, although i'm no teetotaler, that not a lot of accomplishment associates itself with excessive imbibing.


And what the hell is 100 grams of alcohol, anyway? If you aren't going to measure it in fluid ounces like a civilized person, how about measuring it in cubic centimeters, at least.Heh. :p

One could live in a protective bubble all their life and never touch the outside world. I am sure that would maybe add a few years to their life. In the end they still die just like everyone else. Why waste time worrying about something that is going to happen to you. Have some fun and make the best out of life. Don't run out and become an alcoholic but a few drinks is not a big deal.

Not that your attitude doesn't work, but i've known a few people and loved ones who have had some extremely close calls regarding cancer ... and if these studies have significant merit to them (as TBD) then i can tell you that quality-of-life issues tend to come into new focus if you can diminish your chances of that particular type of suffering by just a little bit more moderation.
A whole lot of suffering can be packed into a small amount of time. :(

Hey, you can take the nightcap and still take the dirtnap. It's called waking up dead. ;)

Reminds me of something a friend said after an acquaintance died of a drug overdose.

Me: "So he died?"
Him: "Yeah, he tripped straight to hell."

Reminds me of something a friend said after an acquaintance died of a drug overdose.

Me: "So he died?"
Him: "Yeah, he tripped straight to hell."

That's slightly macabre

That's slightly macabre

I suppose. Although that sort of converstation is par for the course with us. When you live that sort of lifestyle its almost necessary to have a sort of dark sense of humor about it.

I'm gonna bite the dust sooner or later, might as well be drunk and loving it.

I'm gonna bite the dust sooner or later, might as well be drunk and loving it.

Esophagal cancer isn't much fun ... and hard to knock 'em back through .... perhaps you'll have a vodka IV?

The problem with the "benefits" of alcohol like red wine is that they can be achieved by drinking grape juice without worrying about what the alcohol does.

Alcohol does not help your body in any way that could not be done more safely, more easily, and with far less harm with other substances, and as such should not be drunk. [/obligatory anti-alcohol rant]

Nonsense. Alcohol is fun.

Esophagal cancer isn't much fun ... and hard to knock 'em back through .... perhaps you'll have a vodka IV?

Whiskey. A night with vodka ends badly for me.

Whiskey. A night with vodka ends badly for me.

Ah - agreed.
*nods emphatically*

We should ban alcohol.. and egg yolks.. fucking egg yolks..

We should ban alcohol.. and egg yolks.. fucking egg yolks..

As bad as the niggers eh? Ban them too?

As bad as the niggers eh? Ban them too?

Excuse you?

As bad as the niggers eh? Ban them too?

Is that a white/black joke or something? Oddly enough, Sarah Silverman is on right now covering that.

Excuse you?

It was in response to this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541268&page=5). Shoulda been a bit more clear I guess.

It was in response to this (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541268&page=5). Shoulda been a bit more clear I guess.

Yeah, I knew that. Still doesn't make any sense.

Yeah, I knew that. Still doesn't make any sense.

Nevermind.:headbang: