Scientists haven’t found clear health benefits from drinking alcohol, even in modest amounts.
The debate over the harms and possible benefits of moderate drinking has raged for decades. A team at the University of Victoria in Canada analyzed 107 studies published between 1980 and 2021, covering 4.8 million participants. The researchers aimed to determine whether small amounts of alcohol could actually be beneficial for health. That idea has been circulated for years, sometimes bolstered by studies funded by alcohol producers.
The new analysis found that people who regularly consumed small amounts of alcohol didn’t live significantly longer than people who abstained entirely.
The Canadian team also found that moderate drinking did not significantly increase the risk of early death. They estimated that women could have one large glass of wine (250 ml) per day and men up to two such glasses without a higher risk of premature death.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers compared mortality rates among non-drinkers who participated in the reviewed studies with those who drank at low, moderate, high, and very high levels. Women in the low-consumption group did not have a significantly higher mortality risk than women who did not drink at all.
The team cautioned that alcohol’s dangers shouldn’t be ignored. Alcohol contributes to serious diseases, including cancer. The study showed that when participants exceeded the mentioned “safe” limits, the risk of early death rose by about 15 percent for men and 20 percent for women.
As the analysis published in JAMA Network Open shows, the risk increases noticeably after a certain level of consumption.
Questioning Objectivity
The authors pointed out numerous flaws in the studies they reviewed, so their findings should not be taken as definitive guidance on safe drinking.
In 86 of the 107 studies, some participants labeled “non-drinkers” were actually former drinkers. Those people may have quit because alcohol had already caused health problems, and including them as non-drinkers could have skewed the results.
Tim Stockwell, a professor at the Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research, says further study is needed to pin down the exact drinking levels at which men and women face a higher risk of premature death.
Dr. Chris Tuell of the University of Cincinnati, one critic of the new analysis, called the conclusions “unexpected” and said no amount of alcohol is beneficial.
While the team’s findings don’t overturn earlier studies suggesting moderate drinking isn’t harmful, the researchers warn against treating this analysis as a green light to drink more.
If you want to understand alcohol’s impact on your body, consult your doctor. For many people, the safest choice may be to avoid alcohol altogether.
