Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of
asthma but heavy drinking increases chances of suffering from it,
according to research.
Scientists compared alcohol intake with asthma
risk over eight years in more than 19,000 twins aged 12-41. Fewer than 4
per cent of those who drank one to six units of alcohol per week
developed asthma but more than 6 per cent of those who rarely or never
drank alcohol suffered symptoms.
Around 4.5 per cent of people who consumed four or
more units of alcohol per day became asthmatic. Lovers of beer were more
likely to develop the condition than those who did not indicate a
preferred drink.
The findings were presented
yesterday at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in
Amsterdam. Researcher Sofie Lieberoth, of Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark,
said: "Whilst excessive alcohol intake can cause health problems ... our
study suggests that a moderate intake ... can reduce the risk of
developing asthma."
