Symposium 28 Tuesday Sept. 25th 1.30 pm-3.00 pm; Room: Lecture Hall 4: Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages: is there really a beneficial effect?: Chairpersons: Preedy VR (UK), Fernandez-Sola J (Spain)

Abstract

Excessive alcohol ingestion is damaging and may ultimately lead to premature death and disease. It has been argued that there are about 120–200 different alcohol related pathologies in alcohol misusers. However, there is also a substantial body of evidence to suggest that moderate to low consumption of alcohol beverages is beneficial in terms of cardiovascular events and other pathologies such as diabetes. This beneficial effect of alcohol may be due to the influence of life-style factors such as differences in diet. Alternatively, the protective effects of alcoholic beverages may be due to elements in the beverages (such as polyphenolics) or the direct effects of ethanol per se . However, defining the nature and causes of these beneficial effects is problematical for a number of reasons. There is still a paucity of information on the total anti-oxidant capacities in alcoholic beverages and how these relate to non-alcoholic beverages. To a certain extent data pertaining to beer is limited. There is also a lack on information of moderate drinking after a history of excessive alcohol misuse in relation to extra hepatic tissues (such as heart and skeletal muscle). Furthermore, information on the effects of red wine on platelet activity and inflammatory biomarkers is lacking, as are studies on knock out models. Markers of moderate wine consumption are similarly limited. To resolve these issues the organisers have brought together key researcher examining the beneficial effects of alcohol. The symposium is designed not only to impart knowledge, but also encourage debate in a contentious area of alcohol related studies.