Many mixed messages exist when it comes to drinking. In 2001, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital found that moderate alcohol consumption in people who have another version of this gene had lowered risk of heart disease.
However, they cautioned, "Heavy consumption of alcohol can lead to negative cardiovascular outcomes such as high blood pressure, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. Other doctors warn that even moderate drinking may raise the risks of colon and breast cancer, some types of stroke, fetal damage, driving accidents, abusive behavior and criminal activities."
The study released Sunday may only marginally advance the debate over the balance between the risk and benefit of alcohol consumption, since this study was conducted in only two population groups -- Europeans and Latin Americans.
Still, Brennan notes in the study, "These results provide strong evidence that both ADH1B and ADH7 have an important association with susceptibility to [upper] digestive cancer. The strong similarity of the results from different studies argues against population stratification or other biases."
In other words, he explains, because these results are similar in studies around the world, their results could be applied globally.
But more evidence may be necessary to change the view of the World Health Organization, which states that light drinking is unlikely to lower heart disease risks in people who are already taking other lifestyle precautions, such as exercising regularly, not smoking and eating less fat. According to WHO, the less you drink the better.
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