Undoubtedly alcohol is responsible for much social evil, but the recent report based on 28 million people is not without flaws (Drinking carries health risks. But abstinence is not the only answer, 27 August). It relies on an assessment of relative risk rather than absolute risk, which makes it difficult for an individual to assess their own risk.
The report did not analyse different drinking patterns or different types of alcohol. For example, it is well known that binge drinking carries higher health risks. And a 2016 study by the University of Sydney and University College London found that exercise virtually cancelled out the increased risks of cancer. The Stritch School of Medicine reported a study in August 2018 which showed moderate drinking had benefits for the brain and was associated with a lower rate of Alzheimer’s disease.
Also, if people are discouraged from drinking alcohol, what will they drink instead – especially at social events? On a recent visit to Jordan, where the Muslim population largely avoids alcohol, I was struck by the high rate of consumption of sugary and artificially sweetened drinks – with their own risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Alcohol has positive social effects as well as negative – witness the laughter at social events involving alcohol.
When considering health and social policy on a global scale, a more nuanced discussion of risks and benefits is required.
Sue Morgan
Winchester
• The statistics on the highest and lowest drinking rates (Alcohol use ‘at any level’ is not safe, 24 August) intrigued me. The five countries with the lowest alcohol use have lower average ages of death than the highest five. Maybe more pertinent to the age you wish to attain is where you are born. Let’s drink to that!
Liz White
Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire
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