Within three to ten units of alcohol per week exhibited protective benefits against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also reduced the risk by smoking or by a genetic predisposition to RA, suggests a new Swedish study.

An increased alcohol (ethanol) consumption of three or more units per week was associated with a decreased risk of developing RA (odds ratio 0.5, 95%; confidence interval 0.4 -- 0.7).

According to Henrik Källberg at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, who is a PhD student:

"Several previous studies have indicated a suppression of the immune system by alcohol and a recent study showed that it prevented development of destructive arthritis.

However, until now, epidemiological investigations on the effects of alcohol on RA were scarce and inconsistent.

These data now show not only that alcohol can protect against RA and reduce the risk conferred by smoking or susceptible genes, but also gives an idea of the relevant alcohol doses necessary."

These new findings may help improve understanding of the effects of lifestyle on the risk of developing RA and hopefully will lead to new potential treatment approaches based on such beneficial effects of alcohol.

However, Professor Tore Kvien, President of EULAR, said:

"These are very interesting findings and are the first observation, from epidemiological data, which now should be confirmed by further clinical studies before a firm conclusion can be achieved.

Furthermore, we assert the need for caution in the interpretation of these data.

The misuse of alcohol is associated with a number of social and medical problems and any positive implications of alcohol must be coupled with the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption in accordance with standard national guidelines."

Very good words of caution. Just because researches come up with some benefits of alcohol, these are no reason to abuse on its consumption.

Find more details from the full report.