¿Existe el consumo saludable de alcohol?

Abstract

Moderate alcohol intake (more specifically, of red wine) is one of the supposed beneficial components of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Many well-conducted, non-randomized studies have demonstrated that mild or moderate alcohol consumption is not only associated with a reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease, but also with lower all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, alcohol is an addictive substance that is a significant threat to public health. Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of cancer, neurological damage, injuries, and other adverse outcomes. Multiple international studies have recently supported the notion that the healthiest level of alcohol consumption is no consumption. Therefore, despite the findings of conventional observational epidemiological studies that support a possible beneficial role of wine in the context of a healthy Mediterranean diet, there continues to be significant controversy on this topic. This review will attempt to individualize the message according to patient characteristics and will address practical strategies to motivate patients toward healthier alcohol consumption.