New research suggests that no amount of alcohol is beneficial to your health or safe to consume as you age. A 12-year United Kingdom study that tracked 135,000 adults 60 and older found that even light drinking was associated with an increase in cancer deaths, particularly in older adults residing in low-income areas with health issues. These findings contradict the previously held belief that small quantities of alcohol, such as red wine, are good for the heart based on shoddy evidence that the French have lower rates of heart disease.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, found no reduction in heart disease deaths among light or moderate drinkers, regardless of their health or socioeconomic status. Lead study author Rosario Ortolá stated that there was no evidence of a beneficial association between low drinking and overall mortality. Furthermore, she suggested that consuming alcohol likely elevates the risk of cancer from the first drop. The study also linked heavy drinking to more deaths from all causes, with moderate drinking defined as 20 to 40 grams of alcohol for men and 10 to 20 grams for women.
Research suggests that consuming just one alcoholic beverage per day can shorten a person’s life span by approximately two and a half months. Abstaining from alcohol or reducing consumption may significantly reduce the risk of developing oral or esophageal cancer according to another study. The latest findings also indicate that drinking mostly wine and exclusively with meals may lessen mortality risk, particularly death from cancer. This risk reduction could be due to slower alcohol absorption or other healthy lifestyle choices.
US dietary guidelines recommend that women limit themselves to one drink a day and men to two drinks a day as drinking less is better for health than drinking more. The 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are expected to be released soon, prompting scientific groups to prepare reports on the relationship between alcohol and health. In 2023, the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction updated health guidelines stating that no amount or type of alcohol is good for health, even in small amounts, debunking the myth that a glass of wine is the key to longevity.
The World Health Organization has established that alcohol is a known carcinogen and increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, and esophageal and colorectal cancers. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can pose health risks, with most alcohol-related harms coming from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. The WHO’s stance on alcohol consumption aligns with the recent research findings indicating that no amount of alcohol is safe or beneficial for health, even in moderation. It is important for individuals to be aware of the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption and make informed decisions about their drinking habits to prioritize their overall health and well-being.
