Five glasses of wine a week could reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by 50 per cent, new research suggests.
A team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that people who drank alcohol regularly were significantly less likely to develop the joint disease than those who rarely drank.
The findings are based on a study of 2,750 people who were asked to provide information on their lifestyle and a blood sample to test for genetic risk factors for RA.
The scientists found that people who smoked and had antibodies to a specific group of proteins involved in the development of RA were most likely to benefit from the protective effect of alcohol.
Publishing their findings in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, the researchers claimed that the findings were of significant interest for public health.
'The main message remains that cessation of smoking is the most effective way to diminish the risk of RA, irrespective of genetic constitution, but that this recommendation should not necessarily be combined with a recommendation to stop moderate alcohol consumption,' they claimed.
A team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that people who drank alcohol regularly were significantly less likely to develop the joint disease than those who rarely drank.
The findings are based on a study of 2,750 people who were asked to provide information on their lifestyle and a blood sample to test for genetic risk factors for RA.
The scientists found that people who smoked and had antibodies to a specific group of proteins involved in the development of RA were most likely to benefit from the protective effect of alcohol.
Publishing their findings in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, the researchers claimed that the findings were of significant interest for public health.
'The main message remains that cessation of smoking is the most effective way to diminish the risk of RA, irrespective of genetic constitution, but that this recommendation should not necessarily be combined with a recommendation to stop moderate alcohol consumption,' they claimed.
Labels: aches and pains
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