Moderate Alcohol Intake Linked to Increased Cancer and Mortality Risks, Study Reports

Is moderate drinking really safe, or could even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of serious health problems? A major new study suggests that alcohol consumption, including levels commonly considered moderate, may increase the lifetime risk of premature death and disability, with no overall protective health benefit identified.

Published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto, Columbia University and collaborating institutions examined the long-term health risks associated with different levels of alcohol consumption.

Researchers reviewed evidence from more than 7,200 scientific articles investigating alcohol-related diseases, injuries and mortality.

Using national health datasets and statistical modelling, the team estimated how alcohol consumption contributes to the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, several cancers and other serious health conditions.

The findings revealed that even relatively low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with increased health risks, which became greater as consumption increased.

Importantly, consuming two alcoholic drinks daily was associated with a substantially higher lifetime risk of alcohol-attributable premature death.

Researchers also found that drinking more than one alcoholic beverage daily was associated with increased health risks among both men and women.

Although some evidence suggested that lower alcohol consumption might be associated with reduced risks of certain cardiovascular conditions, including ischaemic heart disease, these potential benefits were outweighed by increased risks of cancer, liver disease and injuries.

The analysis found no statistically significant overall protective effect of alcohol consumption, even at relatively low intake levels.

Researchers emphasised that the findings represent population-level risk estimates rather than predictions of individual health outcomes.

Individual risks may differ depending on genetics, lifestyle, drinking patterns and underlying health conditions.

The study suggests that reducing alcohol consumption may help lower the lifetime burden of alcohol-related diseases and premature mortality.

REFERENCE: Sinead George, et al.; Alcohol Intake and Health Study: No Protective Effect at Low Levels, With Mortality Increasing to 1 in 25 at 14 Drinks Per Week. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2026; 87 (4): 621 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.25-00435