Research has shown that excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of mortality, but even in small quantities, a new study suggests that the composition of the drink is also important to consider.
A recent study based on data from 340,924 participants in the UK Biobank found that wine consumption was associated with a lower mortality rate, while beer and spirits consumption were associated with a higher risk of death.
Data collection was conducted between 2006 and 2022, with an average follow-up period of more than 13 years. The results were presented at the American College of Cardiology's annual scientific meeting in New Orleans.
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During the study, participants indicated that they consumed alcohol irregularly/occasionally, in small, moderate, or large quantities.
High consumption was defined as more than 40 grams per day for men (approximately three standard drinks) and more than 20 grams per day for women (approximately 1.4 standard drinks).
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Research has shown that excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of mortality, but even in small quantities, a new study suggests that the composition of the drink is also important to consider.
According to the study results, participants who consumed large amounts of alcohol had a 24% higher risk of death from all causes, a 36% higher risk of death from cancer, and a 14% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to people who never or rarely drank alcohol.
However, for low or moderate alcohol consumption, mortality risk appeared to differ depending on the type of drink.
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The researchers found that drinking spirits, beer, and cider was associated with significantly higher mortality, while the same amount of wine was associated with significantly lower mortality. Moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease than those who never or rarely drank alcohol.
In contrast, those who drank small amounts of spirits, beer or cider, had a 9% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
A new study based on data from 340,924 participants in the UK Biobank found that wine consumption was associated with a reduced mortality rate, while beer and spirits consumption were associated with an increased risk of death.
«"These results are based on data from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular disease, the risks may be even higher," Dr. Zhangling Chen, a professor at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and lead author of the study, said in a press release.
«"These findings may help refine recommendations by highlighting that alcohol-related health risks depend not only on the amount of alcohol consumed but also on the type of drink.".
The researchers noted that one possible reason for the lower mortality associated with wine consumption may be the presence of compounds such as polyphenols and antioxidants, which may have beneficial effects on blood vessels, inflammation, and the cardiovascular system.
Jessica Steinman, a Los Angeles-based addiction treatment specialist and chief clinical officer of No Matter What Recovery, said the information gleaned from the study is "useful" but cautioned against broadly applying the findings to individuals, particularly those with a history of substance abuse.
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While some ingredients or substances may help a person with a specific problem, she expressed concern about mental health and addiction issues.
«"When we hear stories like this or see research results, it becomes a black-and-white generalization for the entire population, and we have to be careful with that," Steinman, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
The expert noted that different substances contain different amounts of alcohol, and each person processes alcohol differently.
«"Not everyone should drink alcoholic beverages every day, whether it's wine, beer, or some hard liquor. … If someone has a substance abuse problem, they shouldn't drink them at all.".
The expert noted that different substances contain different amounts of alcohol, and each person's metabolism of alcohol is individual.
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«"These things are all so specific to one person or a small group of people," she said. "So we want to make sure that whenever research is published on a topic, we as a society don't take it for granted: 'Let's do this,' and take a black-and-white approach.".
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«"In general, more is not better, but higher alcohol content and higher proof will also have a negative impact on people.".
Steinman recommended consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized recommendations.
The researchers noted that there is a possibility that wine drinkers may have other dietary or lifestyle habits that could impact their health.
The researchers acknowledged some limitations of the study. Because it was observational, it could not prove that wine consumption leads to reduced mortality or that other alcoholic beverages directly cause increased mortality.
Additionally, participants reported their baseline alcohol consumption at the start of the study, meaning that any changes in drinking patterns during the observation period were not captured.
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The researchers also noted that there is a possibility that wine drinkers may have other dietary or lifestyle habits that could impact their health.
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Furthermore, UK Biobank participants tend to be healthier than the general population, which may limit the generalisability of the findings to wider populations.
The authors called for high-quality randomised trials to confirm differences in how drinking patterns reflect mortality risk.
Original article: Beer, wine, or spirits? A large-scale study has found a link between them and a reduced risk of death.