A study looked at alcohol and health in Americans. Researchers found that even small amounts of alcohol can harm health. The risks include cancer, heart disease and dying early. The risks rise as people drink more.
People drinking an average of 14 alcoholic drinks a week faced a one-in-25 chance of dying from alcohol during their lifetime. This is two drinks a day. Up to seven drinks a week brought small increases in risk for most health problems. Risks became greater above one drink a day for both men and women.
Small amounts of alcohol may lower the risk of some heart problems and strokes. However, the risks from cancer and other illnesses were greater than these possible benefits, even at seven drinks a week. The study found no clear overall health benefit at any amount.
Researchers used more than 7,200 scientific papers and large sets of national health information. Their results describe risks for groups, not exactly what will happen to one person. A person's way of life, family health background and drinking habits can change their risk.
The US government asked for the study to help update its food and drink advice. Its latest advice tells people to limit alcohol. Earlier advice set daily limits of two drinks for men and one for women.
