A new federal report has revealed that even consuming just one alcoholic drink per day increases the risk of over a dozen health conditions, though it also offers some protective benefits.
The report, compiled by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), presents a detailed analysis of alcohol’s effects on the body, drawing from multiple global studies. Researchers concluded that even one drink per day raises the risk of approximately 19 health conditions, including cancers and liver cirrhosis.
Among the identified risks, alcohol consumption is linked to an elevated chance of developing colon and esophageal cancers. However, the report also indicates some potential benefits, noting that individuals who drink moderately may have a lower risk of developing diabetes and face no increased risk of heart disease compared to those who abstain.
The findings, part of the draft report, contribute to ongoing discussions around updated U.S. dietary guidelines. Current guidelines recommend men limit themselves to two alcoholic drinks daily, and women to one. Yet, some scientists argue that these limits should be further reduced, based on growing evidence of alcohol’s harms.
The ICCPUD’s report is the latest in a series of studies warning about alcohol’s potential connection to cancer. It highlights a higher risk of cancers such as colorectal, breast, and esophageal cancers among drinkers. For men consuming just one drink per week, the risk of colon cancer rises by 16%, while women see a 5% increased risk of several cancers, including breast cancer.
Notably, the report emphasizes that women face a higher cancer risk per drink consumed compared to men. This is due to alcohol’s ability to cause cell mutations, a process partly triggered by acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen produced when alcohol is metabolized.
The relationship between alcohol and heart disease, once thought to be beneficial in moderation, has also been questioned. The report found that moderate alcohol intake does not reduce the risk of heart disease. In fact, studies now suggest that factors like obesity and a poor diet play a more significant role in heart disease than alcohol consumption.
On a positive note, the report suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may lower the risk of stroke. Individuals who consumed one drink per week experienced a 10% reduction in stroke risk, with a smaller decrease for those consuming one drink daily.
However, the health risks associated with alcohol use extend beyond chronic diseases. The ICCPUD report also found that alcohol increases the risk of both unintentional and intentional injuries, particularly among heavy drinkers. For men consuming three drinks a day, the risk of injuries, including road accidents, triples.
The report’s findings come at a time when the U.S. is revising its dietary guidelines, which will need to be approved by President-elect Donald Trump and other key officials. Meanwhile, lobbyists from the alcohol industry have criticized the report, calling the process behind it flawed.
While alcohol remains a cultural norm for many, the new report reinforces the notion that “less is best” when it comes to alcohol consumption, as even moderate drinking carries measurable health risks.
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