Alchohol - Cancer Warning like Cigarettes?

[Tony uk]

45 minutes ago, Calm said:

Trying to think of factors that should get eliminated to be sure nothing is confusing this finding in the research.

It would be interesting to separate out those who never drink who had parents and grandparents that did to see if that makes a difference.

I wonder if there could be enough of a significance from those who chose not to drink because of seeing the harm done in family members.  Perhaps alcohol damages those already vulnerable in health areas more so there are never ever drinkers that were horrified at what happened to love ones that are naturally more vulnerable to health issues to begin with than the general population.   It sounds unlikely that would be significant though.

Anyone know of research on overall health habits of never drinkers vs moderate drinkers?  Perhaps nondrinkers drink more soda and its sugar intake that raises mortality rate?  Maybe because we don’t have a ritual of weekly drinks with friends, we don’t develop other socializing habits and stay at home more, sitting in front of our screens.  Perhaps people chose not to drink because they already had enough health issues.

What I would love to see is studies that matched health backgrounds and lifestyles as much possible to rule out everything as a variable besides drinking. 

I think the World Health Organisation has researched this, at least in a minor way. Took a quick look on their website earlier, I've not mastered the art of cut and paste yet, sorry.

 From a personal perspective. I am aware of the dangers of alcohol. From using to deal with personal issues. I no longer take alcohol for this or any other reason now. And also of people around me. Watching a close friend, literally drink himself to death with alcohol.

 

 Alcohol may have its uses, in moderation. That is all it should be used for.

[Analytics]

2 hours ago, Calm said:

Does “never consuming” mean “never ever used” or “no longer using”?

In this report, "never consuming" means people who have never ever used alcohol, not those who stopped drinking. 

2 hours ago, Calm said:

Perhaps nondrinkers drink more soda and its sugar intake that raises mortality rate?

Some of the underlying studies control for diet, but not all of them.

2 hours ago, Calm said:

Maybe because we don’t have a ritual of weekly drinks with friends, we don’t develop other socializing habits and stay at home more, sitting in front of our screens.  Perhaps people chose not to drink because they already had enough health issues.

What I would love to see is studies that matched health backgrounds and lifestyles as much possible to rule out everything as a variable besides drinking. 

The studies controlled for factors like age, sex, smoking, physical activity, and sometimes diet. This means they adjusted their analysis to account for these variables, aiming to isolate the specific effect of alcohol on health outcomes.

1 hour ago, Calm said:

Also have they separated out those who drink only wine among moderate drinkers from those who drink less potentially beneficial varieties of alcohol?

This study didn't look at this. The wine-has-health-benefits-other-alcohol-does-not hypothesis has been studied in the past, and as I recall, all alcohol lowers mortality, not just wine.

1 hour ago, Calm said:

Compared those who drink wine to those who drank grape juice?

Not specifically in these studies.

1 hour ago, Calm said:

If it’s a benefit one can get from nonalcoholic sources, it surely would make sense not to drink to avoid the dangerous aspects of drinking while making sure one gets the benefits from maybe drinking grape juice or just eating a lot of grapes to be sure and get those skins and eating kimchi or something else fermented if the fermentation adds anything.

On page 44, it goes into some pretty technical detail about how alcohol can be beneficial entitled "Biological Plausibility." That section is very technical, but as far as I can tell, what it says, with several references to recent papers, is that moderate alcohol consumption might lower mortality rates through several mechanisms. Biologically, it can increase levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, reduce blood clot formation, and improve blood vessel function, all of which support heart health. These effects may help explain the lower risk of heart disease observed in moderate drinkers. Beyond biology, there are potential social benefits: moderate drinking often happens in social settings, fostering stronger social connections and reducing stress, both of which are linked to better overall health and longevity. However, the report emphasizes that these benefits are specific to moderate drinking and don't extend to heavy or binge drinking, which have clear harmful effects.

[MiserereNobis]

Do you think the prohibition on alcohol will be lifted after Christ's return in the millennium? Since, as I understand it, the prohibition is only for this current dispensation, right?

[Calm]

15 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

Do you think the prohibition on alcohol will be lifted after Christ's return in the millennium? Since, as I understand it, the prohibition is only for this current dispensation, right?

If disease won’t occur and people live to a certain age and then are changed rather than the messier dying that goes on now, why wouldn’t the prohibition on it be lifted.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-45-the-millennium?lang=eng

And no more guilt on drinking soda constantly (nor acid reflux or whatever carbonation causes for me if more than a few sips). 

I wonder if we will still be able to burp when we want to.  We have had some fun family burping contests.  Then there is always the favourite moment of root beer fountaining from my son’s nose when something went wonky (can’t remember if he coughed, laughed, or was trying to burp).  Be kind of a shame to lose the ability to perform truly juvenile behaviours.

Edited January 8, 2025 by Calm

[Okrahomer]

21 minutes ago, Calm said:

I wonder if we will still be able to burp when we want to.  We have had some fun family burping contests.  Then there is always the favourite moment of root beer fountaining from my son’s nose when something went wonky (can’t remember if he coughed, laughed, or was trying to burp).  Be kind of a shame to lose the ability to perform truly juvenile behaviours.

<snort!> 😂😂😂

[Calm]

Just now, Okrahomer said:

<snort!> 😂😂😂

I am a simple person with simple joys.  

[Analytics]

From my perspective, virtually all foods and drinks have both benefits and risks. For example, orange juice provides valuable nutrients like vitamin C and potassium, supporting immune and heart health. At the same time, its high sugar content and lack of fiber can lead to blood sugar spikes, especially when consumed in excess. The key is moderation. For one person, a small glass of OJ can be a healthy addition to their diet, while for another, frequent overconsumption could contribute to metabolic issues. This balance between benefits and risks applies to virtually everything we consume.

Even something as essential as water demonstrates the importance of moderation; do you remember that story of the mother in Springville who unwittingly killed her 4-year old child by making her drink too much water? This underscores the universal truth: everything is harmful in excess. The same principle applies to alcohol—it’s neither entirely good nor bad, but its impact depends on how, by whom, and how much, it is consumed.

[Okrahomer]

5 minutes ago, Calm said:

I am a simple person with simple joys.  

In the eternities, I hope our house is somewhere near yours.

[Maestrophil]

On 1/8/2025 at 7:43 AM, BlueDreams said:

You're nicer than my sibs are to each other. When my bro was going on his mish and decided to try out his mission skills on my non-believer bro, the non-believer obstensibly got up, opened his fridge, and made a show of drinking in front of us. Later when the articles started popping out I definitely sent it his way in a group chat with other bro. We also later made fun of him for proving the word of wisdom for getting alcohol poisoning and completely stop drinking for a couple years after that. That teasing made him decide he should drink again from time to time 😯 

 

We're at a healthy medium with teasing and taunting nowadays. He drinks super rarely (once  or twice a year) and I commend him for a healthier balance than his 20's. But then I tease him about him getting cancer from damage from the heavy drinking years. He lovingly points out he's a little younger and could outlive me and then he'd be the one laughing at my grave. 

 

It's some solid sibling dynamics. 

 

With luv, 

BD

HA!  Families are the best!

 

[The Nehor]

On 1/8/2025 at 4:06 PM, MiserereNobis said:

Do you think the prohibition on alcohol will be lifted after Christ's return in the millennium? Since, as I understand it, the prohibition is only for this current dispensation, right?

The entire Word of Wisdom is a temporary law.

Our current take on the Word of Wisdom isn’t from the actual Word of Wisdom since the text endorses beer drinking. We are mostly following what the temperance and prohibition movements taught rather than the revelation.

[Stargazer]

On 1/3/2025 at 5:28 PM, bluebell said:

I think most people are aware of the risks, they just don't care.

Not that I am most people, but this is news to me. And I don't care!  Because my lifetime consumption of alcohol amounts to three small glasses of wine, one of champagne, a shot of Cointreau, and a couple of swigs of beer (nasty stuff). 

I believe that most alcohol-related deaths are related to accidents caused by drunks, or the consequences of long-term alcohol addiction. For example, liver failure.

[Calm]

10 minutes ago, Stargazer said:

believe that most alcohol-related deaths are related to accidents caused by drunks, or the consequences of long-term alcohol addiction. For example, liver failure.

Also violence and suicides.  Contributes to overdosing on other drugs as well.

Edited January 10, 2025 by Calm

[Nofear]

An NPR article where some scientists are interviewed. Both drink.
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/03/nx-s1-5246590/drinking-alcohol-increases-the-risk-for-at-least-7-types-of-cancer-new-report-shows