Bicknell Lecture: Should Alcohol Consumption be Encouraged as a Part of a Healthy Lifestyle? A Debate.

Over the past three decades, more than 100 large, long-term prospective studies have shown positive cardiovascular effects from moderate alcohol consumption of one or two drinks per day. Health professionals are increasingly feeling pressure to promote limited alcohol consumption as part of a healthy diet. But do the significant potential risks associated with increased alcohol consumption – higher incidence of dependence, accidents, and overall mortality – outweigh the potential health benefits?