title: [Moderate alcohol consumption brings no positive effect on health. A critical research analysis].
abstract: The evidence for the beneficial health effects of moderate drinking is weaker than commonly perceived. No randomised controlled trials have been done. Observational studies suffer from unavoidable methodological limitations, chiefly from confounding and misclassification. Clinical advice to patients as well as public health recommendations should discourage initiation of alcohol consumption, as well as recommend the reduction of excessive drinking. The absence of health benefits strengthens the the arguments for effective population-level policies, e.g. raising alcohol prices and restricting the physical availability of alcohol.
authors.affiliation: Beroendecentrum Stockholm - Riddargatan 1 Stockholm, Sweden - , Sweden.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andréasson
authors.affiliation: Curtin University, Perth - National Drug Research Institute, Perth Perth, Australia Curtin University, Perth - National Drug Research Institute, Perth Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chikritzhs
authors.affiliation: University College - London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland University College - London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Frida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dangardt
authors.affiliation: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation - Prevention Research Center Oakland, United States Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation - Prevention Research Center Oakland, United States.
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holder
authors.affiliation: Boston Medical Center, Section on General Internal Medicine; Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naimi
authors.affiliation: University of Victoria, BC - Centre for Addictions Research of BC Victoria, Canada University of Victoria, BC - Centre for Addictions Research of BC Victoria, Canada.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stockwell
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors