Even light drinking of less than one glass a day raises the risk of developing cancer, according to a large-scale study. The analysis directly contradicts the common belief that "moderate drinking is good for health," concluding that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer.
A research team at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington recently conducted a systematic review of the effects of alcohol consumption on health, comprehensively analyzing data from 843 studies published through 2023. The team applied the most conservative standards to control for variation between individual studies and ensure statistical reliability. The results were published in the latest issue of the international journal Nature Health.
The analysis found that alcohol consumption raised the risk of developing cancer across all 10 cancer types examined. Even drinking less than 10 grams of pure alcohol per day—equivalent to half a 500mL can of beer—increased the risk of pharyngeal, colorectal, esophageal, breast, liver, pancreatic and prostate cancers. The risk rose along with the amount consumed.
Figures by cancer type show stark differences. Pharyngeal cancer, excluding nasopharyngeal cancer, saw its risk of onset surge by at least 105% at average drinking levels. Laryngeal cancer increased by at least 49%, while colorectal cancer and lip and oral cancers increased by at least 22% to 40%, respectively. Among chronic diseases, the risk of chronic liver disease including cirrhosis rose by at least 40%, and pancreatitis by at least 22%. Lower respiratory tract infections and tuberculosis were also found to be associated with drinking. Stomach cancer was classified as requiring further research to confirm a causal relationship with alcohol.
Cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological diseases showed a different pattern. For type 2 diabetes and dementia (including Alzheimer's), the risk was measured slightly lower with light drinking, by at least 4.5% and 6.4%, respectively. For ischemic heart disease and stroke, the risk-reducing effect of light drinking was not consistent, and the risk rose without exception as the amount of drinking increased. For atrial fibrillation and flutter, the risk rose by at least 6% even at the light drinking stage.
"The evidence that all levels of alcohol consumption raise the risk when it comes to cancer is consistent and clear," said Emmanuela Gakidou, the professor who led the study. "Even if a risk-reducing effect of light drinking appears for some cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, it should not be interpreted as grounds for recommending drinking, and as the amount of drinking increases, this effect disappears and only the risk grows."
The research team emphasized that future drinking guidelines should not stop at warnings against binge drinking but should explicitly state that even light drinking raises the risk of various diseases, including cancer.
