Dr Saheb Sahu, FAAP, MPH.
Current Dietary Guidelines for Americans allow up to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. The verdict on heavier drinking has been clear for a long time: Hangover and injuries, addiction, liver damage, heart failure and stroke, increased cancer risk, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, brain damage in adolescents and premature death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, alcohol consumption contributes to approximately 2.6 million deaths annually accounting for 4.7% of all deaths. The majority of these deaths are among men.
On January 3, 2025, U.S. Surgeon General (the top public health officer in US) Dr Vivek Murthy issued an advisory report highlighting the established link between alcohol consumption and increased risk of various cancers. He suggested updating the existing labels on alcoholic beverages to include information about this cancer risk noting that alcohol is associated with seven types of cancer. He also noted that alcohol is responsible for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer related deaths annually in the United Sates.
One expert committee of American Scientists reported on the second week of January, 2025, that “even one drink a day for both men and women raises the risk of death from several alcoholic- related illnesses and injuries”.
The scientific findings released in January were stark: Men and women in the U.S have one in 1,000 risk of dying from alcohol use if they consume more than seven drinks a week. This risk increases to ten in 1,000 if they consume more than nine drinks a week.
Having one drink a day was linked with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis (scaring of the liver leading to liver failure), esophageal cancer (cancer of the food pipe) and cancer of the mouth. While moderate consumption of alcohol (especially red wine) has been framed as safe, the new evidence increasingly shows that even low level of alcohol consumption can contribute to adverse health conditions and even deaths.
Even causal drinkers could see adverse effects: The risk of developing several types of cancer- including colorectal, breast, and esophagus- begins with any alcohol use. Cancer risk was particularly acute for women, according to the committee’s report. “There is no evidence supporting the idea of drinking for health reasons”, said one of the study’s lead authors.
Conclusion
Alcohol consumption is a deeply embedded cultural, social, and economic phenomenon (governments collect taxes) worldwide. Different cultures have developed different attitudes toward alcohol ranging from strict prohibition to its integration into daily life. It has been known for a long time that excessive alcohol use is associated with severe health consequences, including liver disease, cardiovascular disorders, and mental health issues like addiction, depression and suicide. Moreover, alcohol is a known carcinogen (agent that causes cancer) linked to at least seven types of cancers. While alcohol can serve as a source of enjoyment, its potential harms outweigh any benefits by many folds. The US Surgeon General and the Expert Committee of American Scientists have come to the same conclusions. The World Health Organization has consistently emphasized that: “No amount of alcohol consumption is safe for health.”
Bottom line, do not smoke. Don’t drink. If you drink, quit. No amount of alcohol is safe for your overall health. Exercise at least 150 minutes a week. Eat a balanced diet and control your portion size. Socialize with friends and family. All the above lifestyle changes will lead to better physical and mental health and will add years to your life.
“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you”. – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Sources
1- US Surgeon General Report. HHS.gov
2- World Health Organization. www.who.int
3- The Wall Street Journal, Jan 24, 2025.
