A new surgeon general’s advisory highlights the risks of drinking alcohol, particularly in relation to cancer. Dr. Vivek Murthy has proposed updating the health warning label on alcohol-containing beverages to include the risk of cancer.
Drinking raises the risk of several types of cancer, including colon, liver, breast, and mouth and throat cancers. Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, which can damage cells and stop them from repairing themselves, creating conditions for cancer to grow.
The US Department of Health recommends limiting men to two drinks or fewer per day and women to one drink or fewer per day. According to the surgeon general’s advisory, there are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Research suggests that moderate drinking has no health benefits for most people. In fact, studies have shown that those who report drinking moderately tend to have higher levels of education and income, which can lead to better health outcomes. However, when adjusted for these factors, the benefits of moderate drinking disappear.
Other studies have found that alcohol may even increase the risk of heart disease in some individuals. The World Health Organization has stated that the scientific consensus is clear: drinking alcohol is linked to over 200 health conditions, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and injuries.
Experts agree that less is better when it comes to health. Dr. Timothy Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, said, “The simple message that’s best supported by the evidence is that, if you drink, less is better when it comes to health.”
Source: https://apnews.com/article/drinking-alcohol-cancer-health-3dc58ed10ba5f948cb4f6949e276fb06