Exposed! The Health LIES About Booze
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 15, 2017
Q: I’m seeing a lot of research these days about how alcohol is actually good for you. But my doctor says no way. What do you think?
Dr. Scott: You know I’m not shy about taking on mainstream medicine (and other doctors) when I think they are wrong.
But, in this case, I’m more likely to side with your doctor.
Here’s the thing – most of the studies claiming booze is good for you are terribly designed. And they’re not getting much better.
Let me explain.
Most of the “pro-alcohol” research relies on notoriously unreliable population studies.
Typically, population studies work like this: researchers ask people questions about their lives, and use the responses to determine what made those people healthy or unhealthy.
Simple enough, but there are two big problems with this kind of study:
- People don’t remember what they did very well
- People lie
So, really, nobody knows if the positive research about alcohol is reliable or not.
Enter the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Believe it or not, they’re trying to fix the problem by performing what is called a prospective study.
Basically, they take a group of people and have them drink alcohol every day and compare that to another group that doesn’t drink to see what happens.
This study, The Moderate Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health Study, is now in process.
But guess what? There are a few problems with this stud, too.
In order to make sure the people who are drinking are actually drinking, the NIH has offered to buy their drinks (and that costs money… a lot of money).
So, guess who offered to buy the drinks? You guessed it, Big Alcohol.
The alcohol companies are happy to pour money into this research, especially if it will benefit them.
You can probably already guess the problems with this:
- Once again, people lie: The “drinkers” may or may not drink every night and the “non-drinkers” may be tempted to have a drink every now and again.
- Money changes everything: When big companies fund research, the findings are almost always positive.
So, the NIH Moderate Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health Study is worthless – even before it comes out.
As you probably know, there are a lot of problems with alcohol:
- It is a simple carbohydrate.
- It is stored as fat – in fact, there is a weight loss craze that simply has people stop drinking (and it works!).
- While studies show booze may help your heart, it (even in small amounts) raises the risk of breast cancer in women.
- Alcohol tends to disrupt the digestive microbiome (the collection of bacteria in our guts) and that can have a big effect on our health.
So, should you have that beer or glass of wine?
The answer (as with many things) is determined by how much. An occasional beer or glass of wine won’t hurt you; daily drinking, though, probably will.
Want me to answer your question next? Email askdrscott@livingwelldaily.com
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...