Think a daily glass of wine is healthy? New evidence suggests otherwise
A major scientific review has reignited the debate over alcohol and health, finding that risks may begin from the very first drink. Researchers say while heavy drinking remains the most dangerous, no amount of alcohol can be considered completely risk-free.
For decades, many people have believed that drinking alcohol in moderation, especially a glass of wine with dinner, could be good for health. Some studies even suggest that moderate drinking might protect the heart and help people live longer.
However, a growing body of scientific evidence is now challenging that idea.
A major new review published in the Journal of Hepatology has concluded that there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption. While the dangers of heavy drinking are well established, researchers found that health risks may begin increasing even at relatively low levels of alcohol intake.
The findings add to a growing consensus among health experts and public health organisations worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly stated that alcohol is a carcinogen and that the safest option for health is to drink as little as possible—or not at all.
The review arrives at a time when alcohol-related illnesses continue to be a major global health concern. According to WHO estimates, alcohol contributes to more than three million deaths worldwide every year and is linked to over 200 diseases and injury-related conditions.
WHAT DID THE NEW REVIEW FIND?
The review analysed recent epidemiological studies examining alcohol consumption and its effects on long-term health.
Researchers found clear evidence that excessive alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of numerous diseases, including liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders, and mental health problems.
Importantly, the researchers noted that no scientific evidence currently supports the existence of a completely risk-free threshold for alcohol consumption.
The review found that health risks generally increase as alcohol intake rises. However, some risks—particularly certain cancers—may begin increasing even among people who drink relatively small amounts.
The researchers also highlighted that alcohol affects individuals differently depending on factors such as age, sex, genetics, existing medical conditions, and drinking patterns.
WHY EXPERTS ARE RE-EVALUATING 'MODERATE DRINKING'
For years, many studies suggested that light or moderate drinking might offer cardiovascular benefits.
This led to the popular belief that a daily glass of wine could improve heart health.
However, scientists now believe many of those earlier studies may have been influenced by the "healthy drinker effect."
People who drink moderately often have higher incomes, healthier diets, better access to healthcare, and more physically active lifestyles than some non-drinkers. These factors may have contributed to the apparent health benefits observed in earlier research.
When researchers adjusted for these differences, the supposed protective effects of alcohol became much weaker or disappeared entirely.
One of the largest analyses on alcohol and health, the Global Burden of Disease Study published in The Lancet, concluded that the safest level of alcohol consumption for overall health was zero drinks per week.
ALCOHOL AND CANCER: RISKS START EARLIER THAN EXPECTED
One of the strongest concerns raised by experts relates to cancer.
The World Health Organisation classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco and asbestos. This classification means there is strong scientific evidence that alcohol can cause cancer in humans.
Alcohol consumption has been linked to at least seven types of cancer, including:
Breast cancer
Liver cancer
Colon cancer
Rectal cancer
Mouth cancer
Throat cancer
Oesophageal cancer
Health experts say cancer risk does not suddenly appear after crossing a specific drinking limit.
Instead, risk appears to increase gradually with alcohol consumption, even at low levels.
According to the WHO, there is currently no evidence of a threshold below which alcohol's cancer-causing effects disappear completely.
Recent findings also suggest that for certain cancers, including breast cancer, risk may begin rising at around one drink per day—or even less.
WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE BODY WHEN YOU DRINK?
Alcohol affects nearly every organ in the body.
When consumed, alcohol is broken down into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde. This chemical can damage DNA and interfere with the body's ability to repair cells properly.
Alcohol can also:
Increase inflammation throughout the body
Raise oxidative stress levels
Disrupts hormone balance
Damage to blood vessels
Affects brain function
Weaken the immune system
Over time, these biological changes can increase the risk of chronic diseases.
The liver is particularly vulnerable because it processes most of the alcohol consumed. Long-term drinking can lead to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
WHO SHOULD AVOID ALCOHOL COMPLETELY?
Researchers emphasise that some groups should avoid alcohol entirely because even small amounts may pose significant health risks.
These include:
Pregnant women
People with liver disease
Individuals taking certain medications
People operating vehicles or machinery
Those with specific chronic health conditions
Health agencies also caution that younger people may face greater risks from alcohol-related accidents, injuries, and long-term health consequences.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR REGULAR DRINKERS?
Experts are not necessarily demanding that everyone stop drinking completely.
Instead, they say people should understand that alcohol-related risks exist on a spectrum. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher the risk generally becomes.
The key message emerging from current research is simple: less alcohol is associated with lower health risks.
For people who choose to drink, reducing the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption may help lower the risk of developing alcohol-related diseases over time.
The latest review adds to growing evidence that there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption.
While heavy drinking remains far more harmful than occasional drinking, scientists say health risks—including cancer risk—may begin earlier than many people realise.
As understanding of alcohol's effects continues to evolve, experts are increasingly shifting the conversation away from whether alcohol can be considered healthy and toward a more realistic discussion of risk.
For people looking to protect their long-term health, the message from researchers is becoming increasingly clear: when it comes to alcohol, less is generally better.
For decades, many people have believed that drinking alcohol in moderation, especially a glass of wine with dinner, could be good for health. Some studies even suggest that moderate drinking might protect the heart and help people live longer.
However, a growing body of scientific evidence is now challenging that idea.
A major new review published in the Journal of Hepatology has concluded that there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption. While the dangers of heavy drinking are well established, researchers found that health risks may begin increasing even at relatively low levels of alcohol intake.
The findings add to a growing consensus among health experts and public health organisations worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly stated that alcohol is a carcinogen and that the safest option for health is to drink as little as possible—or not at all.
The review arrives at a time when alcohol-related illnesses continue to be a major global health concern. According to WHO estimates, alcohol contributes to more than three million deaths worldwide every year and is linked to over 200 diseases and injury-related conditions.
WHAT DID THE NEW REVIEW FIND?
The review analysed recent epidemiological studies examining alcohol consumption and its effects on long-term health.
Researchers found clear evidence that excessive alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of numerous diseases, including liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders, and mental health problems.
Importantly, the researchers noted that no scientific evidence currently supports the existence of a completely risk-free threshold for alcohol consumption.
The review found that health risks generally increase as alcohol intake rises. However, some risks—particularly certain cancers—may begin increasing even among people who drink relatively small amounts.
The researchers also highlighted that alcohol affects individuals differently depending on factors such as age, sex, genetics, existing medical conditions, and drinking patterns.
WHY EXPERTS ARE RE-EVALUATING 'MODERATE DRINKING'
For years, many studies suggested that light or moderate drinking might offer cardiovascular benefits.
This led to the popular belief that a daily glass of wine could improve heart health.
However, scientists now believe many of those earlier studies may have been influenced by the "healthy drinker effect."
People who drink moderately often have higher incomes, healthier diets, better access to healthcare, and more physically active lifestyles than some non-drinkers. These factors may have contributed to the apparent health benefits observed in earlier research.
When researchers adjusted for these differences, the supposed protective effects of alcohol became much weaker or disappeared entirely.
One of the largest analyses on alcohol and health, the Global Burden of Disease Study published in The Lancet, concluded that the safest level of alcohol consumption for overall health was zero drinks per week.
ALCOHOL AND CANCER: RISKS START EARLIER THAN EXPECTED
One of the strongest concerns raised by experts relates to cancer.
The World Health Organisation classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco and asbestos. This classification means there is strong scientific evidence that alcohol can cause cancer in humans.
Alcohol consumption has been linked to at least seven types of cancer, including:
Breast cancer
Liver cancer
Colon cancer
Rectal cancer
Mouth cancer
Throat cancer
Oesophageal cancer
Health experts say cancer risk does not suddenly appear after crossing a specific drinking limit.
Instead, risk appears to increase gradually with alcohol consumption, even at low levels.
According to the WHO, there is currently no evidence of a threshold below which alcohol's cancer-causing effects disappear completely.
Recent findings also suggest that for certain cancers, including breast cancer, risk may begin rising at around one drink per day—or even less.
WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE BODY WHEN YOU DRINK?
Alcohol affects nearly every organ in the body.
When consumed, alcohol is broken down into a toxic substance called acetaldehyde. This chemical can damage DNA and interfere with the body's ability to repair cells properly.
Alcohol can also:
Increase inflammation throughout the body
Raise oxidative stress levels
Disrupts hormone balance
Damage to blood vessels
Affects brain function
Weaken the immune system
Over time, these biological changes can increase the risk of chronic diseases.
The liver is particularly vulnerable because it processes most of the alcohol consumed. Long-term drinking can lead to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
WHO SHOULD AVOID ALCOHOL COMPLETELY?
Researchers emphasise that some groups should avoid alcohol entirely because even small amounts may pose significant health risks.
These include:
Pregnant women
People with liver disease
Individuals taking certain medications
People operating vehicles or machinery
Those with specific chronic health conditions
Health agencies also caution that younger people may face greater risks from alcohol-related accidents, injuries, and long-term health consequences.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR REGULAR DRINKERS?
Experts are not necessarily demanding that everyone stop drinking completely.
Instead, they say people should understand that alcohol-related risks exist on a spectrum. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher the risk generally becomes.
The key message emerging from current research is simple: less alcohol is associated with lower health risks.
For people who choose to drink, reducing the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption may help lower the risk of developing alcohol-related diseases over time.
The latest review adds to growing evidence that there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption.
While heavy drinking remains far more harmful than occasional drinking, scientists say health risks—including cancer risk—may begin earlier than many people realise.
As understanding of alcohol's effects continues to evolve, experts are increasingly shifting the conversation away from whether alcohol can be considered healthy and toward a more realistic discussion of risk.
For people looking to protect their long-term health, the message from researchers is becoming increasingly clear: when it comes to alcohol, less is generally better.
