The widespread social belief that one or two drinks a day is safe for health has been completely debunked by a massive new scientific study. According to data published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, even the so-called “moderate” consumption of alcohol is directly linked to the risk of premature death, disability, and chronic diseases, such as oncological and cardiac pathologies.
A team of American and Canadian scientists analyzed more than 7,200 scientific articles and national datasets. It was revealed that for those who consume an average of 14 drinks per week (2 drinks a day), the risk of alcohol-induced mortality is 1 in 25. Meanwhile, consuming up to 7 drinks a week (a maximum of 1 drink a day) carries only minimal health risks.
The paper places particular emphasis on the fact that alcohol actually possesses no protective or preventative effects. While a small dose may slightly reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, when the scientists evaluated the overall picture, this minor benefit was completely outweighed by the high risk of developing various types of cancer (such as esophageal, oral, and breast cancer).
Notably, this study was commissioned by the U.S. government to serve as a foundation for the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. However, according to experts, these precise figures were sidelined during the development of the official recommendations, leaving only the vague phrase, “the less, the better,” in the document. Scientists believe that knowing the specific threshold is essential for people to make informed decisions about their own health.
