<p>But, moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the chances of fatty liver -- the cause of many diseases -- by up to 60 per cent, it said.<br /><br />This was far more effective than drinking nothing at all and even better than light drinking, but only occasionally, the report claimed.<br /><br />"Once more, evidence that light to moderate alcohol consumption is good for health," an ISFAR spokesman was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.<br /><br />The research, conducted in Japan, recorded the drinking habits of 9,885 men.<br />Moderate drinkers had the lowest prevalence of fatty liver but further checks found it was related more to how often they drank rather than how much.<br /><br />Those who had around three or four alcoholic drinks spread over 21 days in a month had the lowest risk of all, it showed.<br /><br />The report said: "Our observations suggest that alcohol consumption plays a protective role against fatty liver in men, and consistent alcohol consumption may contribute to this favourable effect." Obesity was a much greater factor than alcohol in developing fatty liver, the report said, adding: "Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of cirrhosis and other serious types of liver disease.<br /><br />"On the other hand, the most common liver disease in many populations, fatty liver disease, is associated primarily with obesity and other features of the metabolic syndrome.<br /><br />"And ... moderate alcohol intake may not only not increase the risk, but may actually decrease the risk of this common disease."<br /><br />Related studies showed that excessive alcohol inflames liver cells but moderate amounts decrease the inflammation.<br /><br />Obesity was a far more common factor than alcohol intake for liver disease among men and health authorities should concentrate more on advocating healthy living choices to avoid this, the study said.<br /><br />Excessive drinking can contribute to obesity but moderate drinking is less likely to do so, it added.</p>
<p>But, moderate alcohol consumption can reduce the chances of fatty liver -- the cause of many diseases -- by up to 60 per cent, it said.<br /><br />This was far more effective than drinking nothing at all and even better than light drinking, but only occasionally, the report claimed.<br /><br />"Once more, evidence that light to moderate alcohol consumption is good for health," an ISFAR spokesman was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.<br /><br />The research, conducted in Japan, recorded the drinking habits of 9,885 men.<br />Moderate drinkers had the lowest prevalence of fatty liver but further checks found it was related more to how often they drank rather than how much.<br /><br />Those who had around three or four alcoholic drinks spread over 21 days in a month had the lowest risk of all, it showed.<br /><br />The report said: "Our observations suggest that alcohol consumption plays a protective role against fatty liver in men, and consistent alcohol consumption may contribute to this favourable effect." Obesity was a much greater factor than alcohol in developing fatty liver, the report said, adding: "Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of cirrhosis and other serious types of liver disease.<br /><br />"On the other hand, the most common liver disease in many populations, fatty liver disease, is associated primarily with obesity and other features of the metabolic syndrome.<br /><br />"And ... moderate alcohol intake may not only not increase the risk, but may actually decrease the risk of this common disease."<br /><br />Related studies showed that excessive alcohol inflames liver cells but moderate amounts decrease the inflammation.<br /><br />Obesity was a far more common factor than alcohol intake for liver disease among men and health authorities should concentrate more on advocating healthy living choices to avoid this, the study said.<br /><br />Excessive drinking can contribute to obesity but moderate drinking is less likely to do so, it added.</p>