Beer and Liquor May Raise Cancer Risk

Wine appears to be a safer form of alcohol.

SUMMARY: Men who have a daily beer or regularly drink liquor may face an increased risk of several cancers including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, lungs, pancreas, liver and prostate. This was the conclusion of a Canadian study involving 3,600 men ages 35 to 70. However, wine was not linked to an increased risk.

The amount of lifetime alcohol intake generally increased the odds of getting cancer. Men who drank regularly but not daily had a lesser risk than those who drank at least once per day, and generally speaking, the risks increased with the number of years men had been drinking. "Our results show that the heaviest consumers over the lifetime had the biggest increases in the risks of multiple sites of cancer," lead research Dr. Andrea Benedetti of McGill U. said.

Many studies have suggested moderate drinking (two drinks or less per day) can be healthy, especially as a protection against heart disease. But this positive may be offset by the increase risk of getting cancer, at least when the alcohol of choice is beer or liquor. A single study though cannot answer the question of whether moderate drinkers should cut down. According to Benedetti, people who consume alcohol should talk with their doctor about the task of balancing an increase cancer risk with a lower risk of heart disease.

To read the entire article, click on this link to YAHOO NEWS/REUTERS.

COMMENT: A person who wants to practice good stewardship with his own body may want to pay heed to this article, keeping in mind the caveat that this is just a single study.

It is interesting that in this study wine is seemingly given a clean bill of health when it comes to being linked to an increased cancer risk, and wine in moderation is mentioned in the Bible as having a health benefit. St. Paul advises in 1 Timothy 5:23, "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." But the same apostle also warns, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)

It isn't always easy knowing what foods and medicines to take and to avoid, with different studies frequently coming up with contradictory conclusions. Still, I should think we will try to do our best to practice good health habits out of respect for the Lord's gift of life. While good health habits may well earn us a few extra hours, days, or years in this world, it won't earn us even a single second of time in heaven. Only the gracious love of Jesus, as expressed in His suffering and death for us and our sins, has gotten us the victory and the hope of eternal life in the world to come.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

How many trees will you save if you recycle your Sunday newspaper every week?

At least four trees a year.

Source: Bottom Line Personal (August 1, 2009)

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