A new study looked at alcohol and health in Americans. The researchers found health risks even with small amounts of alcohol. These risks grow as people drink more. Health problems linked to alcohol include cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and injuries.
The team studied more than 7,200 scientific papers and used national health information. They estimated the risk of death from alcohol over a person's whole life. For people with an average of 14 drinks a week, this risk was 1 in 25. That amount equals two drinks a day.
Up to seven drinks a week had only small increases in risk for most health problems. But the study found no clear health benefit overall at any amount. Small amounts may lower the risk of some heart problems and strokes. However, the risks of cancer and other diseases are greater than these possible benefits.
The numbers describe large groups, not one person's future. Daily habits, family health traits, and drinking habits can change a person's risk. Current US food and drink advice tells people to limit alcohol but gives no exact amount. The study found that risks rise more clearly above one drink a day for both men and women.
