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Drink Alcohol To Reduce Arthritis Effects

Alcohol has been found to ease the severity of the crippling and painful rheumatoid arthritis and also helpful in lowering the risk of developing it. The study was carried out by a group of researches under the guidance of a University of Sheffield’s professor, Gerry Wilson.

The team of researchers questioned 873 arthritis patients along with a control group that included 1,004 people on how frequently they consumed alcohol in the last month. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire, underwent blood tests and X-rays. Their joints too were examined as part of the tasks.

The study revealed that patients who consumed alcohol more often had less severe symptoms compared to those who either drank alcohol infrequently or else shunned it completely. The X-rays of the patients showed less damaged joints and lower levels of inflammation showed in the blood tests. Even the pain was less along with reduced disability and swelling.

Previously similar studies were carried out on rats and rabbits with similar results. However, it’s the first time that reports show the reduction of arthritis symptoms in human beings due to increase in alcohol consumption.

Interestingly, those who never drink alcohol were at a 4 times higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to those who had it for 10 occasions per month. These findings were similar irrespective of genders and both forms of the disease namely anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and negative.

Only speculations are being made for the effect of alcohol on reducing symptoms of arthritis as no evidence in regard to this has been found yet. It is being assumed that since alcohol suppresses the immune system, it can possibly influence the factors which develop rheumatoid arthritis. There is a possibility that alcohol can act as a pain killer for those already suffering with the disease.

However, the loophole of the study is that the quantity of alcohol consumed wasn’t accounted for. Only the frequency was being noted. Though, alcohol may be beneficial in rheumatism condition, we cannot overlook the bad effects of immoderate drinking.

Source:

Journal Rheumatology

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