A new study from the United Kingdom has revealed troubling findings about alcohol consumption in older adults.
The 12-year research, which followed 135,000 people aged 60 and above, shows that even light drinking can significantly increase the risk of cancer deaths, especially in those with existing health problems and living in low-income areas.
Contrary to the widely held belief that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, may be beneficial for heart health, the study found no reduction in heart disease deaths among light or moderate drinkers.
These findings challenge the idea that small quantities of alcohol can have protective effects, a notion previously based on less rigorous evidence.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, revealed that alcohol might increase the risk of cancer “from the first drop.”
Lead author Rosario Ortolá, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and public health at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, noted that there was no evidence of a beneficial association between low levels of drinking and overall mortality.
Heavy drinking, defined as consuming more than 40 grams of alcohol per day for men and more than 20 grams per day for women, was linked to higher mortality rates from all causes.
In the United States, a standard drink contains 14 grams of alcohol, equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Moderate drinking is generally defined as 20 to 40 grams of alcohol per day for men and 10 to 20 grams for women.
While some proponents of moderate drinking argue that it may contribute to longevity, this study suggests otherwise.
Dr. Amanda Berger, senior vice president of science and research at the Distilled Spirits Council, claimed that the findings contradict decades of research showing that moderate drinkers live as long as non-drinkers. However, the evidence presented by this new study adds weight to concerns that any level of alcohol consumption could be harmful.
Further complicating the debate, the study noted that those who drink primarily wine and consume alcohol exclusively with meals had a lower mortality risk, particularly from cancer.
The researchers speculated that this might be due to slower alcohol absorption or other healthier lifestyle choices.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also weighed in, stating that alcohol is a known carcinogen and increases the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, liver, head and neck, esophageal, and colorectal cancers.
Even at low levels of consumption, the WHO maintains that alcohol can bring health risks, though it acknowledges that most alcohol-related harm comes from heavy or continuous consumption.
These findings come at a crucial time as the U.S. prepares to update its Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2025.
Current guidelines recommend that women limit themselves to one drink per day and men to two drinks per day.
However, the emerging consensus from health authorities like the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and the WHO suggests that no amount of alcohol is truly safe, even in small quantities.
As more research emerges, it becomes increasingly clear that the risks associated with alcohol consumption, especially in older adults, may outweigh any potential benefits. For those concerned about their health, the safest choice may be to limit or avoid alcohol altogether.