Alcohol can Reduce Risk of Arthritis

Drinking alcohol regularly can reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by up to half is the finding of a new study carried out by the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Intitute in Stockholm.

The research, which incorporated two separate studies, and involved over 2,750 particicpants found that alcohol drinkers enjoyed a protective effect against the condition as compared with non-drinkers. Significantly, drinking alcohol was also found to cut the additional risk of rheumatoid arthritis for people who smoke and have a genetic tendency to the disease. The heaviest drinkers appear to receive the most protection from the disease with no difference found between the sexes.

Posted Monday 9th June 2008