Study Links Heavy Alcohol Consumption to Increased Mortality Risk, Finds Beverage Type Matters

Research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) indicates that heavy alcohol use is consistently associated with poorer health outcomes. The study, involving over 340,000 adults in Britain, emphasizes that while lower alcohol consumption generally promotes better health, the specific type of alcohol consumed may significantly influence health outcomes.

Zhangling Chen, MD, PhD, a professor at the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in China and senior author of the study, stated, “These results come from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular conditions, the risks could be even higher.”

Tracking Alcohol Intake and Mortality

Researchers analyzed data from 340,924 adults who participated in the UK Biobank study from 2006 to 2022. The participants completed a dietary questionnaire at the study’s start, which allowed researchers to categorize their alcohol consumption into four groups based on daily and weekly intake of pure alcohol.

For context, a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of spirits each contain approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol. Those consuming less than 20 grams (around 1.5 standard drinks) per week were classified as never or occasional drinkers. Men consuming between 20 grams per week and 20 grams per day and women consuming between 20 grams per week and 10 grams per day were classified as low alcohol consumers. Moderate consumption was defined as 20 to 40 grams daily for men and 10 to 20 grams for women, while high consumption was indicated by over 40 grams daily for men and over 20 grams for women.

Findings on Heavy Drinking and Its Risks

The study found that individuals in the high consumption group were 24% more likely to die from any cause compared to never or occasional drinkers. Additionally, those consumers had a 36% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 14% increased risk for heart disease. At lower and moderate levels of drinking, risk associations varied by beverage type. Consumption of spirits, beer, and cider corresponded with a greater risk of death, whereas wine consumption at similar levels was linked to a lower risk.

In terms of cardiovascular health, moderate wine drinkers experienced a 21% lower risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease compared to non-drinkers. Conversely, even low levels of spirits, beer, or cider were associated with a 9% increase in cardiovascular mortality risk.

“Our findings help clarify previously mixed evidence on low to moderate alcohol consumption,” Chen said. “These findings can help refine guidance, emphasizing that the health risks of alcohol depend not only on the amount consumed but also on the type of beverage. Even low to moderate intake of spirits, beer, or cider is linked to higher mortality, while low to moderate intake of wine may carry lower risk.”

Potential Explanations for Beverage Variation

Several factors might explain why health outcomes differ by type of alcohol. Red wine contains compounds like polyphenols and antioxidants, which may offer cardiovascular benefits. Additionally, drinking habits and lifestyle choices may influence these outcomes. Wine is often consumed with meals and is favored by individuals who tend to maintain healthier diets, whereas spirits, beer, and cider are frequently consumed outside of meals and are associated with poorer diet quality and lifestyle factors.

Chen noted, “Taken together, these factors suggest that the type of alcohol, how it is consumed, and associated lifestyle behaviors all contribute to the observed differences in mortality risk.”

Study Limitations

The researchers adjusted their analysis for a variety of demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and family history of health issues. However, since the study was observational, it cannot definitively establish a causal relationship between specific alcohol types and mortality risk. The researchers suggest that future high-quality randomized trials could further clarify alcohol consumption’s health impacts. Alcohol intake was reported by participants at the study’s inception and did not account for changes over time. Additionally, the health profile of UK Biobank participants tends to be better than the general population, which may restrict the applicability of the findings.

Despite these limitations, the large sample size and extensive follow-up period endow the study with considerable statistical power. Researchers assert that this investigation provides a more nuanced understanding of alcohol’s health effects by evaluating both the quantity and type of alcohol across multiple mortality outcomes.