Recent advancements in research methods have cast doubt on previously held beliefs regarding the heart health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Evidence now points to the role alcohol plays in increasing the risk of developing cancers, including those of the colon, liver, breast, mouth and throat.
The breakdown of alcohol in the body produces acetaldehyde, a substance capable of damaging cells and hindering their ability to repair themselves. That cellular harm lays the groundwork for cancerous growth, highlighting the danger associated with even moderate drinking.
In the U.S. alone, following government guidelines recommending no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink for women could prevent thousands of deaths annually, said Dr. Timothy Naimi.
Dr. Naimi, who directs the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, advocated for reducing the daily recommendation for men to one drink, The Washington Post reports.
“The simple message that’s best supported by the evidence is that, if you drink, less is better when it comes to health,” the doctor said.
Britain, France, Denmark, Holland and Australia have all recently lowered their alcohol consumption recommendations, while Ireland is set to require cancer warning labels on alcohol beginning in 2026.
Initial claims about alcohol’s health benefits have been traced to studies that failed to consider long-term consumption patterns and relied on self-reported data. The studies often didn’t account for socioeconomic factors that could influence health outcomes, such as education level, income and access to health care.
In contrast, recent research using genetic analysis challenges the notion of alcohol’s protective effects against heart disease, providing further evidence that reducing alcohol consumption is in the best interest of public health.
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