Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits? ...

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14 Replies Last post: May 9, 2007 12:43 PM by HOSS1961026

Bell-Lap

57 posts since
Apr 8, 2006

Apr 24, 2007 3:33 AM

Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

I understand that the consumption of alcohol for health is hotly debated. Generally if one can limit their intake to 1-3 drinks a day, and they do not have additional risk (alcoholism, liver problems, etc.), there is substantial benefit, especially as they age.

This basic premise aside, is there a substitute for alcohol that would provide the same benefits?

Diesel88

159 posts since
Sep 1, 2004

1. Dec 26, 2007 4:33 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by tacobell2006:
Generally if one can limit their intake to 1-3 drinks a day, and they do not have additional risk (alcoholism, liver problems, etc.), there is substantial benefit, especially as they age.<HR>

How do 1-3 drinks per day offer substantial benefits to - anyone?

Substitute the alcohol for good old activity - break a sweat rather than into the liquor cabinet. I'm sure you'll find the benefits comparable.

http://This message has been edited by Diesel88 (edited Apr-24-2007).

tortisegal

22 posts since
Apr 14, 2007

2. Dec 26, 2007 4:33 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

Grape juice and/or chocolate provide many of the same benefits, I think. (Flavanoids?)
PS I think good health is governed more by what you don't eat (too much, hydrogenated stuff, processed stuff, etc.) than by what you do. Alcohol is enjoyable, but not health food.

http://This message has been edited by tortisegal (edited Apr-24-2007).

Norma Stark

133 posts since
Oct 4, 2007

3. Apr 25, 2007 3:45 PM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

I would consider 3 drinks a day an alcoholic. Just try to pry the drink out of their hand for a few days and see if they become an A-hole.

AB

tortisegal

22 posts since
Apr 14, 2007

4. Dec 26, 2007 4:33 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

I agree with the 3-drinks thing. Whew! But a lot of people do it and don't think they have a problem. I heard a useful guide for keeping college kids from binge drinking. it's called 0-1-2-3.

0 - Some times when you go out, don't drink at all
1- Don't drink more than one drink an hour
2 - Don't drink more than 2 days a week
3 - Don't drink more than 3 drinks in a day

PS The risks for women may outweigh the benefits in terms of increased breast cancer risk.

http://This message has been edited by tortisegal (edited Apr-25-2007).

Ariann092

681 posts since
Jan 4, 2005

5. Apr 25, 2007 10:15 PM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

Binge drinking among college students is a very different thing than normal moderate drinking among adults. One drink/day for women and two for men have been shown to have significant health benefits, particularly in terms of heart health. The benefits far outweigh the risks for most people. And beer or hard liquor seem to give similar benefits as wine, so it's not just an issue of the chemicals in red grapes.

However, if you don't drink, the benefit of alcohol isn't necessary a reason to start. A diet very high in fruits and vegetables, along with other whole plant foods and regular exercise, will similarly protect your heart.

Here is a summary of the info on alcohol's benefits (and risks) from Harvard:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol.html[/URL" target="_blank">

Bell-Lap

57 posts since
Apr 8, 2006

6. Apr 25, 2007 11:53 PM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

http://www.sciam.com/search/index.cfm?count=50&i=1&options=0&q=alcohol&tmpl=proxy&u1=q[/URL" target="_blank">

I was trying to ignore the debate, only looking for a substatute to achieve the positive effects of alcohol without the negatives.

Agreed there are some serious consequences for many, but equally significant for those healthy enough to tolerate moderate consumption. Purely looking at the research over the last century or so. Not entering that debate, just hoping for an alternative for those of us that refuse to drink regardless of the potential.

tortisegal

22 posts since
Apr 14, 2007

7. Apr 26, 2007 8:48 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

"In the January 2007 issue of Cardiovascular Research, Concord grape juice worked in a similar fashion to red wine to promote healthy arterial function."

There ya go.

reboot

398 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

8. Apr 26, 2007 9:21 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

There are no substitutes. The benefits of running and drinking have been well known for many years. It is not at all necessary to limit your intake to a couple of drinks. Up to a point, more is better. You may not live longer but you enjoy life much more.

There is a group of runners that incorporate these ideals in their running clubs. Actually, they refer to themselves as "drinkers with a running problem."

They have something like 1800 chapters in most major cities worldwide. They have been around for nearly a century and are usually known as Hash House Harriers.

Their main web site is:
http://www.gthhh.com/[/URL" target="_blank">

------------------
gotta run...

kponds

100 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

9. Apr 26, 2007 9:38 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

Side topic, but does anyone else get increased effects from drinking after long runs.

I am a whiskey drinker, and I can usually drink 3-4 good measures without noticing any effects from the alcohol.

But crack open one beer after a 20 miler and I'm out of my tree.

Diesel88

159 posts since
Sep 1, 2004

10. Apr 26, 2007 10:01 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by kponds:
Side topic, but does anyone else get increased effects from drinking after long runs.

I am a whiskey drinker, and I can usually drink 3-4 good measures without noticing any effects from the alcohol.

But crack open one beer after a 20 miler and I'm out of my tree.<HR>

Perhaps the increased blood flow distributes the good stuff more readily?

randymar

2,243 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

11. Apr 26, 2007 4:06 PM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

------------------
Life is Short ... Make Fun of It.[/URL" target="_blank">

400 Beers[/URL" target="_blank">

csickels

95 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

12. Dec 26, 2007 4:33 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Diesel88:
How do 1-3 drinks per day offer substantial benefits to - anyone?

Substitute the alcohol for good old activity - break a sweat rather than into the liquor cabinet. I'm sure you'll find the benefits comparable.

http://This message has been edited by Diesel88 (edited Apr-24-2007).<HR>

there is ample evidence that 1-3 drinks per day provides many health benefits including cardiovascular and other anti-oxidant benefits. and while i agree with your assumption that many of the benefits can be gained otherwise, that wasn't really the point of the question.

OP- i've heard that grape juice, chocolate, green tea, and other food items can simulate the benefits of red wine or beer. i've also heard this disputed. might as well play it safe and drink every day.

csickels

95 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

13. Dec 26, 2007 4:33 AM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by tortisegal:

0 - Some times when you go out, don't drink at all
1- Don't drink more than one drink an hour
2 - Don't drink more than 2 days a week
3 - Don't drink more than 3 drinks in a day

PS The risks for women may outweigh the benefits in terms of increased breast cancer risk.

http://This message has been edited by tortisegal (edited Apr-25-2007).<HR>

Jeez, that doesn't leave room for any fun. Here's my rule of thumb:

0- zero chance i'm going to quit drinking
1- one more bartender!
2- minimum number of drinks per 1/2 hour
3- maximum number drinks per 15 min's.

HOSS1961026

41 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

14. May 9, 2007 12:43 PM

in response to: Bell-Lap

Re: Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

This came about as part of the "French paradox"; why did the French smoke more, exercise less, eat a relatively high fat diet (butter and cream) but suffered less heart related illness than Americans? It has been theorized that it was diet; eating fresh foods and drinking red wine. I think their livers suffer but this has been studied a lot now and there are benefits from moderate drinking of red wine (especially) and eating fresh foods...

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Apr 24, 2007 3:33 AM

Substitute for alcohol to reap benefits?

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