title: A prospective assessment of moderate alcohol intake and major chronic diseases.
abstract: In this paper the relation between alcohol intake assessed on the 1980 Nurses' Health Study questionnaire and subsequent risk of major chronic diseases in this cohort of middle-aged is reviewed. An increased risk of breast cancer among women consuming as little as 3 to 9 drinks per weeks is consistent with findings in other prospective studies. This same level of intake is inversely related to coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke; however, the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is increased. Alcohol intake is also inversely related to a risk of gall stones and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in this cohort.
authors.affiliation: Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115-5899.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Colditz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States