Virtually any amount increased the risk for cancer, and there were no heart benefits, the researchers reported. Even light drinking was associated with an increase in cancer deaths among older adults in Britain, researchers reported on Monday in a large study. But the risk was accentuated primarily in those who had existing health problems or who lived in low-income areas.
The study, which tracked 135,103 adults aged 60 and older for 12 years, also punctures the long-held belief that light or moderate alcohol consumption is good for the heart. The researchers found no reduction in heart disease deaths among light or moderate drinkers, regardless of health or socioeconomic status, when compared with occasional drinkers. The study defined light drinking as a mean alcohol intake of up to 20g a day for men and up to 10g daily for women.
(In the United States, a standard drink is 14g of alcohol.).