Perspective:

Alcohol consumption is a widespread activity in many societies and is sometimes thought to have benefit in cardiovascular and all-cause risk reduction when done in moderation. Previous studies have led many health care providers to suggest that 1-2 alcoholic beverages have no harm and may have health benefits. This extensive meta-analysis of 107 studies done between 1980 and 2021 identified biases in prior studies that blurred the differences between abstainers and drinkers. When these biases are addressed, the conclusion is that no amount of daily alcohol is beneficial, and risk of all-cause mortality goes up at a relatively low level of daily alcohol intake—at a lower level for women than for men—but still at a low level.

Based on this new analysis, clinicians should no longer suggest that a little alcohol intake may be a beneficial thing for their patients and instead indicate that, at certain levels, it may be detrimental. Accordingly, drinking alcohol should be viewed as an activity that is best done with appropriate moderation (or abstention). We must acknowledge that things such as alcohol intake, “party” foods, sodium, and fat intake are things that many people find as enjoyable and indispensable parts of life—but that these activities probably should be done at least with moderation, and certainly with no expectation of a specific health benefit.