13 august 2024 : There exists a prevalent belief that light or moderate alcohol consumption may contribute positively to health; however, a recent study has dispelled this notion, revealing that no level of alcohol intake is beneficial for the body. The research defined light or moderate drinking as an average alcohol consumption of up to 20 grams per day for men and up to 10 grams per day for women. Alarmingly, even minimal alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of cancer-related mortality among older adults.
What constitutes healthy alcohol consumption?
This comprehensive study spanned 12 years and involved a cohort of 135,103 adults aged 60 and above. Dr. Rosario Ortolá, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and public health at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the principal author of the study, emphasized that no advantageous correlation was found between low alcohol consumption and mortality rates. She further noted that alcohol consumption elevates the risk of cancer from the very first drink.
US dietary recommendations regarding alcohol intake
The current dietary guidelines in the United States advocate for reduced alcohol consumption as a healthier choice compared to higher intake levels. This recommendation comes in light of a 30 percent increase in deaths attributed to excessive alcohol use in the country.
Last year, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction released guidelines asserting that no level of alcohol consumption is considered healthy. Similarly, the World Health Organization has stated that no amount of alcohol is safe, although it acknowledged that the majority of alcohol-related harm arises from excessive and episodic drinking.
The study concluded that older adults who engage in light drinking are at a heightened risk of mortality. It further indicated that both moderate and light drinking correlate with an increased risk of death from cancer and other causes, while heavy drinking significantly raises the risk of mortality from all causes, particularly cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
