Australia’s leading winemakers, brewers, distillers and the people who sell and serve their drinks are urging Australians to experience the best they have to offer as part of the nation’s Christmas and New Year celebrations. Alcohol Beverages Australia CEO...
Adherence to a Mediterranean-style eating pattern and risk of diabetes in a U.S. prospective cohort study
This US study investigated whether adherence to a Mediterranean-style eating pattern has the same positive effects in a US population, independent of lifestyle.
An inverse relationship between the Mediterranean-style eating pattern and the risk of type 2 diabetes was found for 12,000 individuals followed for 22 years. When food factors were examined, main foods driving and associated with the reduced diabetes risk included vegetables, fruits and seafood, and a higher consumption of nuts and legumes (8% respectively,) as well as the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages (17%).
Association between alcohol intake, mild cognitive impairment and progression to dementia: a dose–response meta-analysis
This analysis evaluates the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of mild cognitive impairment. Excessive consumption which was defined as >16 drinks/week was related to a higher risk of progression to dementia, whereas low and moderate alcohol consumers had a decreased risk of progressing to dementia.
Association of Low to Moderate Alcohol Drinking With Cognitive Functions From Middle to Older Age Among US Adults
This US Health and Retirement Study investigated whether a relationship exists between the low to moderate consumption of alcohol and cognitive function or changes in cognitive function from middle age to older age among 20,000 adults followed for nine years. Similar to other Australian and international studies previously published, it found that moderate alcohol consumption may improve total cognitive function and delay mental decline in older individuals ̶ both women and men.
Drinking beer, wine or spirits – does it matter for inequalities in alcohol-related hospital admission? A record-linked longitudinal study in Wales
This Welsh study investigated whether the type of alcohol, alcohol drinking pattern or other lifestyle factors explains observed greater adverse effects from alcohol consumption among individuals of lower socio-economic status (SES). The conclusions of this study suggest that even for what are referred to as “wholly attributable, alcohol-related hospital admissions,” other factors associated with low SES may be more important than alcohol consumption itself as determinants of such adverse health outcomes.
Association of Healthy Lifestyle With Years Lived Without Major Chronic Diseases
This large European study examined whether different combinations of lifestyle factors are associated with years lived without chronic diseases. The results showed that the higher the number of healthy lifestyle habits, the longer was the lifespan without major chronic diseases (type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, dementia). The longest life span free of disease was observed among those participants with a normal weight and two of the following lifestyle factors: never smoking, physical activity and moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol Drinking and Health in Ageing: A Global Scale Analysis of Older Individual Data through the Harmonised Dataset of ATHLOS
This multi-national study of 38 countries investigated the health effects of alcohol consumption in 135,4440 individuals aged over 65 years. Alcohol was currently consumed by 47.5% of individuals, 26.5% were past consumers and 51% were abstainers who had never consumed alcohol. Past alcohol consumption was negatively associated with better health although this association changed after approximately age 85. Abstinence was associated with the poorest health until after approximately age 95, particularly in women. Furthermore, regular alcohol consumption was associated with the best health between ages 65 and 85, and regular alcohol consumers had similar health to abstainers after approximately age 95.
Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study
This US study shows that the adherence to a healthy, low risk lifestyle is associated with a longer life expectancy at age 50 free of major chronic diseases ̶ for men approximately 7.6 years and for women 10 years compared to individuals with no low-risk lifestyle factors. Middle-aged women who reported drinking up to 15 g of alcohol/day and men who consumed up to 30 g of alcohol/day were less likely to prematurely develop heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Lifestyle behavior and the risk of type 2 diabetes in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort
This paper discusses the relationship between a healthy lifestyle score and the risk of type 2 diabetes in 11,000 participants, initially free of type 2 diabetes, who were followed up for 12 years. Adherence to more healthy lifestyle factors, which included regular moderate consumption, reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 46% compared with individuals who adhered to less factors
Lifestyle-Related Factors and Total Mortality in a Mediterranean Prospective Cohort
20-year study where moderate alcohol usage included in a diet saw a substantially lower mortality rate
More facts on drinking behaviour during COVID
University of NSW has belled the cat on claims Australians have been consuming alcohol to excess during the pandemic restrictions, by finding two thirds of people either decreased or made no change to their drinking habits. The research can calm the hysteria of those...
ABA Welcomes VIC hospitality decision
Statement by Andrew Wilsmore, CEO, Alcohol Beverages Australia ___ “Finally, Australia is seeing some long-awaited reform in the hospitality sector, more than 20 years after COAG recommended States and Territories achieve a nationally recognised Responsible Service of...
ABA welcomes Tony Ritchie as Director – Media & Communications
Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Tony Ritchie as Director – Media & Communications, effective today, 25 August 2020. Tony will lead ABA’s external and internal communications efforts, showcasing our industry as leaders...
“FARE’s Annual Alcohol Poll confirms the obvious”
The latest Annual Alcohol Poll Report from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) confirms what is common knowledge, that most Australians’ drinking occasions are at home and that Australians enjoy the convenience of home delivery. The real question...
“Mandating colours on pregnancy warnings will unnecessarily cost jobs and livelihoods”
Australia's beer, wine and spirits producers are deeply disappointed that Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, NT, and the ACT pressed ahead with a prescribed colour scheme that will impose substantial unnecessary costs on producers, while reiterating our support...
Drinking in moderation is the new norm
16 July 2020 Findings from the most comprehensive, independent, and trusted set of data on Australia’s drinking practices have confirmed a continuation of longstanding positive trends in our community. “These significant results confirm that our drinking...
“Pregnancy warnings supported, but mandating colours to cost consumers $400M”
Australia's beer, wine and spirits producers support mandating pregnancy warning labels. The now familiar pictogram of a pregnant woman holding a glass with a line through her silhouette is about to be mandated and updated with a new message that ‘alcohol can cause...
“A number of studies now show Australians drinking less during covid-19”
In a report issued today by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare that examines a number of studies and research into alcohol use during covid-19 isolation measures, the overwhelming picture is one of Australians drinking less during the coronavirus crisis....
Latest ABS data shows continued financial impact on the drinks and hospitality industry
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)* reiterates the ongoing financial hardship that the drinks and hospitality industry are facing in the wake of COVID19. The data shows that compared to this time last year the industry has had significant...
Letter to the Editor re: Minister met with alcohol lobby before pregnancy warning label sent back for review (The Age/SMH 19/6/20)
In response to an article published by SMH and The Age, Alcohol Beverages Australia received correspondence from members of the public expressing concern over our position on pregnancy warning labels. Despite being contacted by the journalist, unfortunately our...
“Alcohol Beverage Industry response to FARE Covid-drinking Report”
The report released today by FARE once again seeks to sensationalise Australians drinking during covid, by suggesting an increase in retail sales led to higher volume of alcohol sold, rather than that Australians were paying more for their drinks and hospitality was...
Statement on Australia-UK Free Trade Deal
Alcohol Beverages Australia welcomes the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom. Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Wilsmore said “the finalisation of the Australia-UK Free trade deal brings considerable benefits to drinks producers...
Cost of Alcohol study to drive resources to cultural change
Alcohol Beverages Australia, and the industry more broadly, are very supportive of reducing the harmful impacts of drinking. These latest cost estimates show that some of the figures reflect the impacts of alcohol from years and perhaps decades of misuse, offsetting...