A new federal review has concluded that consuming more than one drink a day significantly increases the risk of premature death. The study, which examined over 1000 deaths, found that men who consume more than seven drinks per week have a 1 in 1000 risk of dying from alcohol use, while women have a 1 in 100 risk.
The review is part of an update to federal guidelines on how much Americans should drink. Currently, men are recommended to limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day, while women are advised to limit it to one drink per day.
Experts warn that even moderate drinking can be risky, particularly for certain groups such as those with underlying health conditions like hepatitis C. The report found that liver disease poses a significant risk, and that the risk of ischemic stroke decreases at higher levels of consumption.
The study’s authors emphasize that the findings are not intended to discourage drinking altogether, but rather to inform public health guidelines. However, some industry groups have criticized the review as flawed and biased, citing conflicts of interest among some experts on the panel.
The review’s authors caution that the true health risks of alcohol may be underestimated due to limitations in research methodology. The study also highlights the variability in individual risk, with certain harms being small but adding up to significant public health risks at a population level.
Overall, the findings suggest that even moderate drinking can have serious consequences for health, and that more stringent guidelines may be necessary to protect public health.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alcohol-drinking-risk-death-cancer-injuries