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U.S. researchers have found that moderate alcohol consumption may help prevent kidney function decline in men.
According to the journal *Archives of Internal Medicine*, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston studied 11,000 men participating in the "Medical Health Study" project, conducting blood tests and questionnaires.
Among the surveyed men, those who drank at least seven glasses of alcohol per week were 30% less likely to have elevated serum creatinine levels—a strong indicator of impaired kidney function—compared to those who drank one glass or none per week.
Tobias Kurth, a gerontology researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, stated in a report that previous studies showed moderate drinking could help prevent cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between alcohol and kidney function decline was unclear. Most prior studies found alcohol harmful to kidneys.
He said: "This is the first study to find that moderate drinking may reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. Given that kidney disease is often linked to cardiovascular issues, this result is not surprising. This research may deepen our understanding of alcohol and disease prevention."
Although the findings contradict traditional views, researchers emphasize this does not mean people should adopt drinking—especially heavy drinking—as a kidney protection strategy.
Kurth also noted that the study population consisted solely of healthy men, so the reliability of these conclusions, particularly regarding applicability to women and patients, remains to be further confirmed.