The alcohol industry fears following in the footsteps of the tobacco industry!

The world's largest alcohol producer has launched a debate with the WHO!

On May 31, several Russian media outlets reported this news.

Larger alcohol producers are protesting the WHO's health-related recommendations, emphasizing their stance.

The world's leading beer, wine, and spirits companies are formulating measures to counter increasing pressure from social organizations and international bodies like the World Health Organization.

Since 2023, the World Health Organization has claimed that "there is no safe level of alcohol consumption."

In response to the global decline in alcohol consumption and stricter measures such as tax increases and mandatory warnings about alcohol hazards, representatives of the alcohol industry have begun openly discussing the WHO's opinions and emphasized the positive aspects of moderate consumption.

For instance, Diageo and Asahi have initiated a heated debate, while Heineken has launched an advertising campaign highlighting "live socializing" as an important aspect of moderate drinking.

Business leaders worry that the alcohol industry might follow the path of the tobacco industry.

In the late 20th century, the reputation of the tobacco industry was lost. Tobacco companies invested heavily in research to refute claims about smoking hazards, but the results were contradictory—regulating their activities became the subject of debate without tobacco company involvement.

Moreover, comparative studies suggest that moderate drinking may have some positive effects on health, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, but it is crucial to consider the existence of individual characteristics and contraindications.

Some experts emphasize that any information about the potential benefits of alcohol should be evaluated based on overall risks and its impact on mental health.

Scientific research indicates that moderate drinking does not produce negative effects. For example, scientists at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, found that regular but moderate consumption of white wine and champagne can reduce the risk of cardiac arrest. An analysis of data from 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank project suggests that lifestyle factors, including diet, weight, psychological-emotional status, and attitudes toward alcohol, have an equally positive influence on the probability of heart disease as medical factors.

This article published in the *Canadian Journal of Cardiology* also challenges the notion that only red wine provides significant protection for the heart. Experts point out that a balanced lifestyle and conscious alcohol consumption are the most important components of disease prevention.

Additionally, moderate drinking increases levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as "good" cholesterol. This phenomenon occurs because alcohol helps improve lipid composition in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, experts emphasize that those who consume alcohol moderately benefit the most—women should drink approximately one standard drink per day, and men should drink up to two.

It is important to remember that excessive drinking can lead to numerous problems, including addiction, liver disease, and a range of overweight issues, which ultimately contradict the opportunities for heart health.

Therefore, if you decide to include alcohol in your diet, do so carefully and consciously.

Let’s wait and see who will win the debate.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833594152039497/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author.