Moderate drinking has been found to have health benefits for men and women, contradicting long-held guidelines that emphasize temperance.
A review of studies on light to moderate drinking, defined as two drinks a day for men and one for women, revealed that moderate use of alcohol was associated with lower risks of nonfatal heart attacks and strokes. It also showed a lower overall risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
However, moderate drinking was linked to increased risks of breast and colorectal cancer. But for most other cancers, no clear conclusion could be drawn.
These findings will inform the development of guidance on alcohol consumption in the next Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected to be released in late 2025.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/19/moderate-drinking-may-be-healthier-than-teetotaling