A growing number of Americans, especially younger adults, are rethinking their views on alcohol consumption. This shift in perspective is supported by recent research, suggesting that even moderate drinking may be harmful, particularly for older adults. A Gallup poll released recently shows a significant change in how Americans perceive the health effects of alcohol, with nearly half of the population now viewing moderate drinking as harmful.

Changing Public Perception

The Gallup poll indicates that 45% of Americans believe that consuming one or two alcoholic drinks a day is detrimental to health. This figure represents the highest percentage recorded since the survey began in 2001. The shift is even more pronounced among younger adults under 35, with 65% agreeing that alcohol consumption is harmful. In contrast, only 37% of adults aged 35 to 54 and 39% of those aged 55 and older share this view. The poll also reveals that just 8% of adults believe moderate drinking has any positive effect on health, marking an all-time low in support for this notion.

A Growing Trend of Abstinence

As public opinion shifts, younger adults are choosing to abstain from alcohol altogether. Nonalcoholic “mocktails” and alcohol-free bars have become increasingly popular, offering alternatives that appeal to those looking to socialize without the pressure to drink. A different Gallup poll from last year found that 62% of adults under 35 reported drinking alcohol, down by 10 percentage points from 20 years ago. This trend indicates a broader movement away from alcohol, particularly among younger generations.

However, the same survey found a 10-percentage-point increase in alcohol consumption among adults 55 and older. This uptick in drinking among older adults raises concerns, as new research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may not be as harmless as once thought, particularly for this age group.

New Study Challenges the Benefits of Moderate Drinking

A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open examined the health effects of moderate drinking in older adults, contributing to the growing body of research challenging the previously held belief that a daily glass or two of alcohol, especially wine, might be beneficial for health. Instead, the study and other recent research suggest that alcohol can be a potent carcinogen and a contributor to various health issues, including depression, liver and kidney problems, and other serious conditions.

Dr. Timothy Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, emphasized the health risks associated with alcohol. “Alcohol is a carcinogen and contributes to about 50 different types of death,” Naimi said, underscoring the broader health hazards linked to drinking. He pointed out that these risks often get overshadowed when discussions focus on the perceived benefits of moderate drinking.

Less Is More When It Comes to Alcohol

Naimi stressed that, in general, less alcohol consumption is better for health. “The most consistent finding across all the science is that, generally speaking, the less you drink, the better off you are health-wise,” he said. This message aligns with the conclusions of the new study, which found risks associated with alcohol consumption at every level, even among low-risk drinkers.

The study analyzed the health outcomes of over 135,000 adults aged 60 and older who were part of the UK Biobank registry. Participants were categorized based on their alcohol consumption as occasional, low-, moderate-, or high-risk drinkers. The researchers found that even low-risk drinkers—those who consumed up to 10 grams of alcohol daily for women and 20 grams daily for men—faced a 10% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to occasional drinkers. Moderate-risk drinkers, who consumed between 10 to 20 grams daily for women and 20 to 40 grams daily for men, had a 10% to 15% higher risk of dying from any cause, including cancer. High-risk drinkers, who consumed more than 40 grams daily for men and more than 20 grams daily for women, were about 33% more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, or any other cause compared to occasional drinkers.

Socioeconomic and Health Factors Play a Role

The study also considered participants’ socioeconomic status and underlying health conditions. The increased risks associated with alcohol consumption were more pronounced in individuals with lower incomes and more health issues. This finding highlights the need for public health interventions that consider these factors, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Interestingly, the study found that participants who primarily drank wine or consumed alcohol with meals had slightly lower risks of cancer and death compared to those who drank occasionally, despite having similar socioeconomic and health-related risks. However, Dr. Rosario Ortola, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of preventive medicine and public health at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, cautioned against interpreting these findings as evidence of alcohol’s benefits. Instead, she suggested that other factors, such as moderation in other aspects of life or healthier behaviors like physical activity, might be contributing to the observed benefits.

The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle

Naimi echoed Ortola’s sentiments, emphasizing that moderate drinking might reflect a healthier lifestyle rather than cause it. “Moderate drinking is maybe a reflection of a healthier lifestyle, but it is not its cause, and that’s a very important distinction to make,” Naimi said.

The study’s findings underscore the need for more research to fully understand the relationship between alcohol consumption, health, and lifestyle factors. While some aspects of alcohol consumption, such as drinking wine or having alcohol with meals, might be associated with lower risks, these benefits are likely due to other factors unrelated to alcohol itself, such as antioxidants in wine or the practice of spacing drinks during meals.

In conclusion, the growing skepticism toward alcohol, especially among younger adults, is backed by a mounting body of research that highlights the health risks of even moderate drinking. As more people choose to reduce or eliminate alcohol from their lives, the message from experts is clear: when it comes to alcohol, less is more. The focus should be on adopting a healthy lifestyle overall, rather than relying on alcohol for any perceived health benefits.