Moderate Alcohol Consumption Linked to Decreased Lifespan, Study Finds

Dr. Tim Stockwell from the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research has cautioned that consuming as little as one alcoholic drink per day can reduce lifespan by approximately two-and-a-half months. Those who consume about 35 drinks weekly may face a staggering reduction of up to two years in lifespan, according to Dr. Stockwell.

These findings challenge common beliefs among those who enjoy unwinding with a pint of beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of spirits after a long day or during social gatherings.

Dr. Stockwell emphasized that no amount of alcohol is safe, backed by scientific evidence linking alcohol consumption to increased risks of cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and liver disease, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths occur annually in the US alone, despite guidelines defining “moderate” drinking as one daily drink for women and two for men.

Recent legislative actions in Ireland requiring health warnings on alcohol bottles and Canada revising guidelines further underscore concerns about alcohol’s health impacts. Dr. Stockwell’s research consistently associates alcohol consumption with higher all-cause mortality, contradicting the belief that moderate drinking could benefit health.

Despite previous beliefs in red wine’s cardiovascular benefits, recent studies have suggested otherwise, challenging long-held assumptions.

“Being able to drink is a sign you are still healthy, not the cause of being in good health,” Stockwell said.

“There are lots of ways these studies give false results that are misinterpreted to mean alcohol is good for you.”