World leading researchers have long suggested that drinking may provide some health benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, heart disease and diabetes.
But now US researchers say even moderate drinking can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and premature death.
NHS guidelines state adults shouldn’t drink more than 14 units a week, the equivalent of one medium glass of wine a night.
In the US recommendations are more vague, advising adults to ‘limit alcoholic beverages’ without specifying how much alcohol is safe to drink.
Previous guidelines suggested a daily limit of two alcoholic drinks for men and one for women, with a loose ‘less-is-best’ strapline.
But experts argued today that even this socially acceptable level of drinking could increase the risk of alcohol-related death.
‘Even low levels of alcohol use come with health risks,’ Professor Kevin Shield, study lead author and senior scientist at the World Health Organisation.
‘And that risk continues to increase the more someone drinks.’
People should limit themselves to no more than one drink a day, new research suggests
The new research, called the Alcohol Intake and Health Study – initially commissioned by the US government – found the risk of premature death was markedly higher in one in 25 people who consumed around 14 drinks a week.
In comparison, drinking up to seven drinks per week was associated with only minimally increased risk for most conditions, they said.
The study analysed 7,200 scientific articles on alcohol-related diseases to determine the level of risk for each condition.
Writing in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the team then applied those risks to large national health data sets to estimate how different drinking levels influence long-term health outcomes.
Altogether, the study found that alcohol consumption raises the risk more than 200 diseases, including dementia, certain cancers and heart disease.
The team concluded current guidelines grossly underestimate the risks of moderate drinking.
‘It turns out that two drinks per day, which might be considered “moderate” from a social standpoint, is associated with a substantially elevated risk of premature death caused by alcohol,’ Dr Timothy Naimi, the study’s co-author, said.
In addition to mortality risk, the study examined how drinking patterns influence the risk of chronic and alcohol-related conditions.
Its findings overturn a common – and dangerous – misconception that drinking in moderation may provide health benefits and even boost longevity.
‘We did not observe a significant protective effect of alcohol on health at any level,’ Prof Shield said.
‘At low levels, alcohol may be associated with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke.
‘But when you look across the full range of health outcomes, including cancer and other chronic diseases, those potential benefits are outweighed by the risks even at seven drinks per week.’
However, the researchers said estimates used in the study were based on ‘the best possible data’, rather than individual health status.
‘We can’t assume that means one person’s individual health risk is the same as what is reported here – that depends on other factors like lifestyle, genetics, drinking patterns, and other choices that differ person to person,’ Prof Shield cautioned.
Yet, emerging research continues to link alcohol with adverse health outcomes, with the latest data pointing towards an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
‘Understanding those relationships, and how much alcohol contributes to those risks, is an area that still needs further work.’
But by highlighting that any more than just one drink a day for both men and women, the study offers a much needed benchmark, which the researchers hope will help inform dietary guidelines.
‘Having a clear threshold helps people better understand what level of drinking is associated with increased risk and make more informed decisions when drinking,’ they concluded.
Other experts who were not involved in the study have welcomed the findings, arguing that they should not have been sidelined during the development of dietary guidelines in the US for the next five years.
Meanwhile, in the UK, addiction experts agree with the WHO expert, similarly arguing that there is ‘no safe level’ in terms of risks to health.
Others have added that it’s important to stress that if people stick to the guidelines, the risk to health is minimal.
It comes as new figures have revealed almost a quarter of adults in England are now teetotal – with young people and a rising number of men turning their backs on booze.
Data from the Government-backed Health Survey for England found 24 per cent of adults had not had a single alcoholic drink in 2025 – up from 19 per cent in 2022.
However, while many are cutting back, the figures also show a significant minority are still drinking at levels linked to higher risks of alcohol-related harm.
DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? THE 10 QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL YOUR RISK
One screening tool used widely by medical professionals is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests). Developed in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, the 10-question test is considered to be the gold standard in helping to determine if someone has alcohol abuse problems.
The test has been reproduced here with permission from the WHO.
To complete it, answer each question and note down the corresponding score.
YOUR SCORE:
0-7: You are within the sensible drinking range and have a low risk of alcohol-related problems.
Over 8: Indicate harmful or hazardous drinking.
8-15: Medium level of risk. Drinking at your current level puts you at risk of developing problems with your health and life in general, such as work and relationships. Consider cutting down (see below for tips).
16-19: Higher risk of complications from alcohol. Cutting back on your own may be difficult at this level, as you may be dependent, so you may need professional help from your GP and/or a counsellor.
20 and over: Possible dependence. Your drinking is already causing you problems, and you could very well be dependent. You should definitely consider stopping gradually or at least reduce your drinking. You should seek professional help to ascertain the level of your dependence and the safest way to withdraw from alcohol.
Severe dependence may need medically assisted withdrawal, or detox, in a hospital or a specialist clinic. This is due to the likelihood of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the first 48 hours needing specialist treatment.
