While scientists have found no particular benefits to consuming alcohol—even in modest amounts.
The debate over the harmfulness and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption has raged for decades. A team from the University of Victoria in Canada analyzed the results of 107 studies published between 1980 and 2021, involving 4.8 million volunteers. The researchers aimed to determine whether consuming small doses of alcohol could genuinely be beneficial for health. This myth has long been perpetuated in society, often fueled by experts whose research was frequently funded by alcohol producers.
The new data analysis revealed that those who regularly consumed small amounts of alcohol did not experience any significant increase in life expectancy compared to those who abstained entirely, according to the New York Post.
At the same time, the Canadian scientists assured that moderate alcohol consumption does not significantly increase the risk of early death. Women can safely enjoy a large glass of wine (250 ml) per day without risking premature death, while the acceptable limit for men is two such glasses.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers compared the mortality rates among non-drinkers (who participated in the analyzed studies) with those who consumed small, moderate, large, and very large amounts of alcohol. It was found that women who drank moderately and fell into the low alcohol consumption group did not face a significant increase in mortality risk compared to those women who did not drink at all.
However, the team noted that the potential dangers of alcohol should not be overlooked. It is a contributing factor to serious diseases, including cancer. The study showed that if participants consumed more than the aforementioned “safe” limit, the risk of early death increased by 15 percent for men and 20 percent for women.
Thus, as the analysis results published in the JAMA Network Open indicate, this risk significantly rises after a certain threshold of alcohol consumption.
Questioning Objectivity
The scientists pointed out numerous flaws in the analyzed studies. Therefore, the results of this analysis should not be used as recommendations for safe alcohol consumption.
In 86 out of the 107 studies reviewed, some participants categorized as non-drinkers were former drinkers. They may have quit drinking because alcohol had already led to health problems. Such data likely distorted the analysis results, according to the Daily Mail.
Tim Stockwell, a professor at the Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research, believes that further studies on the topic are necessary. Researchers need to determine the exact levels of alcohol consumption at which men and women face an increased risk of premature death.
Among the critics of the new study is Dr. Chris Tuell from the University of Cincinnati in the U.S. He described his colleagues’ conclusions as “unexpected” and asserted that no amount of alcohol is beneficial.
While the team’s findings do not contradict previous scientific conclusions regarding the harmlessness of moderate alcohol consumption, researchers advise against interpreting the analysis results as a call to action.
For those wanting to understand the impact of alcohol on their bodies, scientists recommend consulting a doctor. And perhaps the best choice for many people would be to completely abstain from alcohol.