The notion that moderate drinking can improve heart health has been debunked by many public health experts. Dr. Timothy Naimi, a researcher at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, agrees with this stance, stating that “drinking less is a great way to be healthier.” The U.S. Surgeon General also proposed changing his agency’s warning labels on alcoholic drinks to include cancer risks, citing research suggesting that alcohol consumption increases the risk of several types of cancer.
When alcohol breaks down in the body, it forms acetaldehyde, a chemical that can damage cells and hinder cell repair. This process creates conditions for cancer to grow. Estimates suggest that thousands of U.S. deaths could be prevented each year if people followed government guidelines on drinking alcohol, which advise limiting men to two drinks or fewer per day and women to one drink or fewer per day.
However, experts argue that the idea of moderate drinking having health benefits came from flawed studies. These studies often measured amounts at only one point in time and failed to account for other factors such as education level and healthcare resources. Naimi notes that when these elements are considered, the benefits tend to disappear.
The World Health Organization has also changed its stance on alcohol intake, with guidelines now advising drinking less is better for health. Britain, France, Denmark, Holland, and Australia have lowered their safe amount guidelines, while Ireland plans to introduce cancer warnings on alcohol containers starting in 2026.
Source: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/how-does-drinking-alcohol-affect-your-health-/7930063.html