In recent years, the presence of alcoholic beverages in wellness centres and fitness clubs has generated a growing debate about the consistency between promoting holistic health and offering products that may compromise it. While socialising is key to emotional well-being, alcohol consumption raises questions about its compatibility with a healthy lifestyle.
How is it possible that the same people can be training hard with an obsession for their physique and hours later be drinking alcohol uncontrollably?
An active social life is recognised as a fundamental pillar of mental health. Events, celebrations and gatherings in wellness spaces often include alcoholic beverages as part of the experience.. However, several studies have shown that alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, can have adverse effects on physical health, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, liver disorders and certain types of cancer.
The link between alcohol consumption and cancer has been the subject of increasing attention in awareness campaigns in Spain and internationally. Several initiatives have highlighted that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing several types of cancer.
For example, the Directorate General of Mental Health of the Balearic Islands has organised actions for citizens to identify whether their alcohol consumption is at risk, highlighting the relationship between alcohol and brain damage and deterioration of mental health.
At the national level, the Ministry of Health has launched campaigns such as "Don't miss out. Reduce alcohol consumption", emphasising that alcohol consumption is associated with the development of more than 200 health problems, including various cancers and injuries, as well as premature death.
In addition, the campaign "Redefining alcohol for a healthier, safer and happier Europe" highlights that alcohol is linked to more than 200 diseases, including at least seven types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer. The Spanish Society of Epidemiology has also launched campaigns to remind that there is no safe alcohol consumption and calls for mechanisms to denormalise alcohol consumption.
Internationally, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for alcohol bottles to carry cancer risk warnings, highlighting scientific evidence linking alcohol consumption to at least seven types of cancer: breast, colorectal, oesophageal, laryngeal, liver, mouth and throat.
In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have urged awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer, noting that reducing the risk of cancer means identifying and limiting exposure to carcinogens, such as alcohol.
These initiatives reflect a growing consensus in the scientific and medical community on the need to inform the public about the risks associated with alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, and its link to the development of various types of cancer.
Neurologist Vladimir Martynov pointed out that from the age of 50, alcohol consumption has significantly more harmful effects on the brain, increasing the risk of developing depression and dementia. Epidemiologist Iñaki Galán pointed out that easy access and low alcohol prices contribute to the problem of alcohol consumption among young people, suggesting that increasing the unit price could reduce consumption, especially among young people.
Generation Z shows a tendency to reduce alcohol consumption. According to the ESTUDES study, alcohol intoxication among 14-18 year olds has fallen from 60.7% in 2012 to 20.8% in 2023. This reduction is partly due to increased education campaigns on the risks of alcohol and the growing popularity of alcohol-free lifestyles.
The presence of alcohol in wellness centres and fitness clubs poses a dilemma between encouraging socialisation and maintaining consistency with holistic health principles. While social interaction is essential for mental wellbeing, it is crucial to reconsider the inclusion of alcoholic beverages in these settings.
Promoting healthy alternatives and educating about the risks associated with alcohol consumption can be a step towards a more coherent and beneficial wellness experience for all.
