Is moderate drinking healthy? Scientists say the idea is outdated
2 days ago
- #health
- #cancer
- #alcohol
- Stanford Medicine experts debunk the myth that moderate drinking is beneficial for health, citing new research linking alcohol to increased cancer risk.
- Recent studies show that even moderate alcohol consumption can lead to higher death rates, particularly from cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
- Alcohol metabolizes into acetaldehyde, a compound that damages DNA and increases cancer risk, especially in the digestive tract and breast tissue.
- Genetic factors, such as the ALDH2 variant in East Asian populations, significantly increase the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
- Public health recommendations are shifting, with some countries advising no more than two drinks per week, and experts advocating for warning labels on alcohol products.
- Experts emphasize that the safest level of alcohol consumption is none, urging individuals to make informed decisions based on personal health risks.