Even light drinking was associated with an increase in cancer deaths among older adults in Britain, researchers reported in a recent 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 20 grams a day for men and up to 10 grams daily for women. (In Australia, a standard drink is 10 grams of alcohol.
) Some experts believe alcohol raises our risk of cancer “from the first drop”. Credit: Getty Images “We did not find evidence of a beneficial association between low drinking and mortality,” says Dr Rosario Ortolá, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and public health at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and lead author of the paper, which was published in JAMA Network Open . On the other hand, she adds, alcohol probably raises the risk of cancer “from the first drop”.
Loading The findings add to a mounting body of evidence that is shifting the paradigm in alcohol research. Scientists are turning to new methodologies to analyse the risks and benefits of alcohol consumptio.