Any amount of alcohol is bad and there is no safe limit for heart, liver or brain health, warns new study

Health risks of drinking alcohol: Experts say that the risks associated with alcohol start with the very first sip, and that no level of consumption is truly safe (Image: Pexels)

This is bad news for all of you who've been heading straight to the bar after work to unwind. The gentle clink of glasses at the end of a long day with friends, you thought, was comforting, and safe.

It is actually not. No amount of alcohol is truly without risk, and even modest consumption carries measurable harm, claims a new research. The World Health Organisation says that understanding what counts as a standard drink and where the true limits lie is essential for anyone who pours a drink without a second thought. WHO’s new analyses and global health research now suggest a far more complex picture of alcohol and long‑term health.

Health experts now emphasise that the risks associated with alcohol start with the very first sip, and that no level of consumption is truly safe. This isn’t just about alcoholism alone, it’s about how even conventionally modest habits can quietly affect long‑term wellbeing and disease risk.

Also read | Why over-drinking alcohol is more dangerous for your organs than you think

Most people underestimate how much alcohol they consume. Scientists measure alcohol in grams of pure ethanol. For example, in some countries, a single standard drink contains about 10–14 gm of pure alcohol, roughly the amount found in a small glass of wine, a pint of beer or a single shot of spirits. These measures matter because that yardstick is what researchers use when linking drinking patterns to health outcomes.

When normal becomes high‑risk

Historically, guidelines suggested limits like 8 drinks per week for women and 15 for men. Nevertheless, emerging global research questions whether any amount can be considered entirely safe. WHO and systematic reviews from top cancer research bodies now emphasise that the risk of disease, including certain cancers, begins from the very first drink and climbs with greater consumption.

Why there is no safe level

Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco and asbestos. As per the National Cancer Institute, this means there is strong evidence alcohol causes several types of cancer such as breast, oral, oesophageal, liver and colorectal cancer. Studies show that even lower levels of drinking raise these risks compared with abstention.

Also read | Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: Causes, symptoms, risks, and effective treatment strategies

Liver, heart and brain impact

The liver is particularly vulnerable. Slowly, repeated alcohol exposure contributes to fatty liver, chronic inflammation and scarring known as cirrhosis. Large health surveys and cohort studies also point to links between alcohol use and broader health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and mortality, with heavier drinking patterns associated with higher risk.

Emerging research also suggests an association between regular alcohol intake and changes in brain structure and function, including markers of cognitive decline, even at moderate consumption levels.

Social and lifestyle context

Additionally, a research in the Journal of Hepatology shows that risk isn’t solely driven by the liquid in your glass. Genetics, body weight, diet, smoking and physical activity all influence how alcohol affects your body. Research finds that lifestyle factors like diet and exercise can change the likelihood of developing alcohol‑related liver damage, though they don’t erase the effect of drinking itself.

FAQs on Health Risks of Drinking Alcohol

Even modest alcohol consumption carries measurable harm. Risks include increased likelihood of cancer, liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive decline. No level of alcohol is entirely safe.

Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it strongly causes cancers like breast, oral, oesophageal, liver, and colorectal cancer. Even lower levels of drinking raise these risks compared to abstention.

No, repeated alcohol exposure can lead to fatty liver, chronic inflammation, and cirrhosis. Heavier drinking patterns are associated with a higher risk of liver damage and other health issues.

Yes, genetics, body weight, diet, smoking, and physical activity all affect how alcohol impacts the body. However, these factors cannot completely negate the harmful effects of alcohol.

A standard drink typically contains 10–14 grams of pure ethanol, found in a small glass of wine, a pint of beer, or a single shot of spirits. Understanding these measures helps link drinking patterns to health outcomes.