Alcohol y salud

Resum

It is beyond doubt that alcohol consumption, especially when it is excessive or irresponsible, has severe consequences for health. Nonetheless, there are also studies that associate the moderate intake of alcoholic drinks, namely red wine, with a lower risk of some chronic diseases and, in particular, cardiovascular disease. Those studies have received some attention by the media, which have sometimes contributed to spread a message confusing or contradictory, if not biased, in which marketing interests might be involved. This article reviews some of these aspects, both regarding the risks and the putative health benefits of moderate drinking. It is, however, important to highlight that it is far from any intention to contribute arguments that might be used to justify the consumption of alcoholic drinks with the aim of gaining health benefits.