Previous studies had incorrectly grouped those who quit drinking with lifelong teetotalers as “non-drinkers.” However, the new study separated the two groups and discovered that abstainers had a 22% higher risk of death than those who never stopped drinking.
The research team excluded abstainers from the non-drinking group and produced new statistics. The results showed that occasional drinkers who consumed less than 1.3 grams or one glass every two weeks did not experience a significant decrease in the risk of death. The risk of death slightly increased for those who consumed small amounts of alcohol (up to 24 grams per day or almost two glasses).
The risk of death significantly increased for those who drank more than 45 grams per day. The risk of death for those who drank 65 grams per day or more, equivalent to four or more glasses per day, was approximately 35% higher than those who occasionally drank.
The study also acknowledged some limitations, such as incomplete alcohol consumption measurement and underreported self-reported consumption. Future research needs to explore the effects of different types and patterns of drinking to accurately assess the risks of alcohol.
In conclusion, Catherine Resko, an epidemiology professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, pointed out that “while the health benefits of low-level drinking are uncertain, it is certain that moderate to high-level drinking has harmful effects.” The myth of moderate drinking as a means of improving health has been debunked by this study, and it’s essential to understand the risks associated with alcohol consumption.