#Alcohol

A new wave of research is casting light on a phenomenon familiar to many: alcohol’s surprising influence on how men perceive attractive partners, reshaping not only whom they find appealing but also whom they decide to approach. The latest findings, published in 2023 by academic researchers and recently summarized in a Psychology Today article, reveal nuanced effects that go well beyond the casual “beer goggles” cliché—highlighting both social rewards and significant personal risks tied to alcohol consumption in Thailand’s vibrant social scene (Psychology Today).

Recent scientific findings have shed new light on how alcohol consumption poses growing health risks as people age, challenging long-held beliefs about “safe” drinking levels for seniors. These insights come as the number of older adults in Thailand steadily rises, making it crucial for families and healthcare professionals to reconsider their approach to alcohol use among the elderly.

Alcohol has long been recognized as a health risk at any age. However, new research highlighted by a comprehensive report in The New York Times reveals that as individuals age, the same alcoholic intake can cause far more harm than in younger years. According to the director of the Center for Addiction Research & Education at the University of Florida, alcohol “affects virtually every organ system in the body,” with pronounced effects in older adults whose organs may already be experiencing age-related decline (nytimes.com).

A recent study from the United States has sent shockwaves through the public health community, revealing that alcohol-related cancer deaths have doubled over the past 30 years—a trend with significant lessons for Thailand, where drinking patterns are changing rapidly. The new data, released by the Moffitt Cancer Center and highlighted in the Hudson Valley Post, underscore the role of alcohol as a major carcinogen, fueling thousands of preventable cancer deaths each year not just in New York but worldwide. The findings reinforce warnings from global health authorities, and Thai experts are increasingly concerned about similar risks at home, particularly as alcohol consumption trends upwards in both urban and rural settings.

A new wave of international research underscores that when it comes to health risks, no alcohol is “safe”—and the difference between beer, wine, and spirits may matter less than most Thai drinkers think. According to a recent expert round-up in The New York Times, scientists are united in saying that “alcohol is alcohol.” No category emerges as a healthier choice: All forms, from red wine to clear spirits, carry significant risks for a range of diseases, including cancer and heart issues [nytimes.com].

A new wave of international research is challenging widespread beliefs about alcohol, warning that no type of alcoholic drink is inherently “safer” or “healthier” than others. Thai readers who might have heard that red wine is somehow beneficial, or that clear spirits are less damaging than dark liquors, should take note: experts now agree, alcohol in any form poses risks to health, and moderation—or abstention—is the best strategy for reducing harm (NYT).

A new wave of research out of Florida State University suggests that regular aerobic exercise could offer a protective buffer against some of the long-term health risks caused by heavy drinking habits in young adulthood—a finding that may resonate with university students and recent graduates across Thailand and globally. Presented at the American Physiological Society’s 2025 annual conference in Baltimore, this pioneering work shines a nuanced light on the role that physical activity may play in mitigating some of the damage from youthful nights of excess, especially during the formative years often marked by college parties and celebrations.

A leading Mayo Clinic physician has outlined three straightforward actions everyone can take to lower their risk of developing head and neck cancers, a group of potentially life-threatening diseases affecting the mouth, throat, and voice box. The recommendations underscore the importance of prevention at a time when incidence rates for certain types of these cancers are rising globally, including in Thailand. Public health experts emphasize that adopting these strategies could dramatically reduce the burden of cancer in both individuals and communities.

Thai adults may experience the negative consequences of smoking, alcohol use, and physical inactivity much earlier than previously believed, according to newly released research. A recent study, highlighted by MedicalXpress, reveals that the adverse effects of these common risk behaviors can be detected by the age of 36, prompting renewed concern among health experts and policymakers in Thailand who are battling rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Traditionally, the health dangers of smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise have been associated with older age groups, often becoming the focus of public campaigns targeting those in midlife or later. However, the study, based on long-term health tracking, challenges this view by showing that detectable harm to health and fitness from these behaviors often manifests well before reaching 40. The research adds urgency to efforts encouraging young Thai adults to make healthier choices early in life for both immediate and long-term benefits.

Valerie Bertinelli, a beloved figure in the entertainment world, has opened up about a significant change in her lifestyle that has markedly enhanced her mental health. Renowned for her work on the Food Network, Bertinelli’s journey to a healthier mind was showcased on Instagram, where she celebrated a 15-month milestone of abstaining from alcohol. The actress and cookbook author emphasized how refraining from drinking had substantially impacted her emotional well-being: “I haven’t had a drink in 15 months, and it’s made such a huge difference in my mental health,” she candidly shared.