But recent research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that many of the studies promoting moderate drinking as a healthy habit may have been flawed. According to Tim Stockwell, PhD, from the Canadian Institute for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Victoria, the idea that alcohol in moderation is good for you may not hold true.
Experts In This Article
- Brad Lander, PhD, clinical psychologist specializing in addiction medicine
- Tim Stockwell, PhD, researcher at the Canadian Institute for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Victoria
Dr. Stockwell’s analysis suggests that even moderate drinking does not provide health benefits and that reducing alcohol consumption may lead to a longer lifespan. A review of 107 studies comparing moderate drinkers to abstainers showed discrepancies between low- and high-quality studies, with only the former indicating potential benefits for moderate drinkers.
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Further analysis revealed that the low-quality studies had flaws, such as misclassifying abstainers and including elderly participants. High-quality studies, which excluded former drinkers and focused on younger participants, did not show a higher risk of death among abstainers.
While alcohol consumption may pose risks for heart and liver diseases, mental health conditions, and various cancers, the overall impact can vary. Dr. Stockwell likened the mortality risk of drinking one drink a day to smoking one cigarette a day.
Despite the potential risks, the decision to completely abstain from alcohol is a personal one. Factors like individual disease risks and drinking habits should be considered. Additionally, reflecting on the reasons for drinking, whether out of habit or desire, is essential.
While the consensus is leaning towards alcohol being detrimental to health without significant benefits, the question remains whether it is harmful enough for universal avoidance.
