Health Risks of Daily Alcohol Consumption
Daily alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks that are proportional to the amount ingested, with overall health risks present from as little as 1-2 standard drinks per day. 1
General Health Risks
Liver Disease
Daily drinkers have a substantially greater risk of cirrhosis compared with less frequent drinkers:
For women, consumption between 24-60g/day (approximately 2-5 drinks) increases the relative risk of liver disease dramatically to 12.5 (95% CI 8.8-17.7) 2
Cancer Risk
Alcohol consumption is an established cause of cancers of the:
The risk increases substantially with intake of more than two drinks per day 1
Alcohol consumption combined with tobacco use synergistically increases risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus 1
Cardiovascular Effects
- Mixed effects depending on consumption level:
- Light to moderate intake (≤1 drink/day for women, ≤2 drinks/day for men) may be associated with decreased risks for coronary artery disease 3
- Higher levels increase cardiovascular risk 3
- Heavy alcohol use is a common cause of reversible hypertension 3
- Accounts for about one-third of all cases of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy 3
- Frequent cause of atrial fibrillation 3
- Markedly increases risks of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke 3
Gender Differences in Risk
Women
- More susceptible to alcohol-related liver damage than men at equivalent consumption levels 2
- Safe upper limit is one standard drink per day (10-14g of alcohol) compared to two for men 2
- Lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase in the stomach result in slower metabolism and higher blood alcohol concentrations 2
- Regular consumption of even a few drinks per week has been associated with increased risk of breast cancer 1
Men
- Episodic drinking is associated with a lower risk than daily alcohol consumption in males (RR = 0.56 [95% CI: 0.37–0.85]), but this has not been demonstrated in females 1
Recommended Limits
General Population
- No more than 10 standard drinks per week with at least 2 days a week without drinking 1
- No more than two standard drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women 1
Specific to Liver Disease Risk
- No more than 14 standard drinks per week for females 1, 2
- No more than 21 standard drinks per week for males 1, 2
- Maintain at least one alcohol-free day per week 1, 2
Drinking Patterns
- Daily drinking is more harmful than intermittent drinking 2
- Binge drinking (≥4 drinks in about 2 hours for women) significantly increases health risks 2
- Having alcohol-free days each week is recommended 1, 2
Special Considerations
- Complete abstinence is recommended for:
Common Pitfalls in Alcohol Consumption Advice
- Believing there is a "safe" level of alcohol consumption - current research suggests that even relatively low consumption is associated with health risks 4
- Assuming wine is significantly more beneficial than other forms of alcohol - while some research suggests potential benefits from compounds in red wine, the evidence is not conclusive that wine is more beneficial than other alcoholic beverages 1, 5
- Recommending alcohol for cardiovascular benefits - the American Heart Association states there is no compelling reason for non-drinkers to start consuming alcohol for heart health benefits 1
In conclusion, while there may be some cardiovascular benefits associated with light to moderate alcohol consumption, the overall health risks of daily alcohol consumption are significant and increase with the amount consumed. The evidence strongly suggests that if people choose to drink, they should limit consumption and include alcohol-free days each week.