Alcohol Slashes Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk To Half

A new research has found that gulping down a glass of wine each day can slash the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to 50%.

Swedish researchers found that heavy drinkers-- who were drinking daily-- were in fact lowering their chances of getting the diseases and the non-drinkers were most likely to get the crippling disease called rheumatoid arthritis as compared to the regular drinkers.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune disease, in which the immune systemdefine attacks the joints -- both sides of the body (such as both hands, wrists or knees), which swell and become painful and tender. RA affects about 1 percent of the population and is three times more common in women than men.

More than 400,000 people are suffering from the condition in Britain alone and around 300,000 people in Canada have the crippling disease. There is no cure for the disease, although progression of the disease can be slowed and the symptoms can be treated.

The Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden assessed more than 2,750 participants in two studies and analyzed environmental and genetic risk factors for the disease. The subjects were quizzed about their lifestyle, smoking and drinking habits and the blood sample was taken to check how genetically predisposed each person was to contracting arthritis.

The researchers found that participants who drank five glasses of wine a week, had reduced their risk of getting the disease by fifty percent, as compared with those who drank the least. The results of the study were the same for both sexes, men and women.

Lead author, Henrik Kallberg said, "Our findings point to the possibility that alcohol may protect against rheumatoid arthritis."

The study, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases journal also revealed that smoking increased the risk in those with a genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

The arthritis experts advised people that they should encourage smokers to kick the butt but not necessarily to stop consumption of alcohol in moderate amount.

On the other hand, the health experts have cautioned people that heavy drinking can perk up their risk of a range of health problems.

Professor Robert Moots, from the Arthritis Research Campaign said, "There is no doubt that drinking too much is very bad for our health in many ways and these risks by far outweigh any potential benefit for reducing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, which this study points to, without being conclusive.”

"Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol may have a protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis, in ways that we don't yet understand - possibly comparable to effects of drinking moderate amounts of red wine on cardiovascular disease,” he said.

One study found that moderate consumption of alcohol is not only beneficial for cardiovascular disease, but drinking in moderation reduces all-cause mortality.

According to an American study, middle-aged teetotalers can quickly slash their risk of heart disease by introducing a daily tipple to their diet.