Even “Moderate” Drinking Raises Lifetime Health Risks

Even alcohol consumption commonly considered “moderate” was associated with increased lifetime risks of death and disease, with no evidence of a net protective health effect at low levels of drinking. Researchers estimated alcohol-attributable mortality and morbidity risks in the US by integrating data from national health surveys, U.S. Census population statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mortality records, and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation disease burden data. The analysis found that lifetime alcohol-related mortality risk exceeded 1 in 1,000 among men consuming more than 6.5 drinks per week and women consuming more than 7 drinks per week, and rose to greater than 1 in 100 at more than 8.5 drinks per week for both sexes. At 14 drinks per week—the former upper limit recommended in U.S. dietary guidelines for men—the estimated risk of an alcohol-caused death reached 1 in 25 (4%). Drinking patterns also mattered: consuming more than one drink per occasion was linked to progressively higher risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and injury. The findings suggest that even relatively low levels of alcohol intake can adversely affect long-term health and support updated guidance recommending that adult drinkers limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day, regardless of sex. Source: https://www.jsad.com/