Source: Fox News
Summary
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that the safest amount of alcohol to consume is none at all. The researchers analyzed data on alcohol-related injuries and illnesses and compared it with large national health and demographic databases. They found that even low levels of alcohol use come with health risks, and that the assumed benefits of drinking are heavily outweighed by the potential dangers. The study recommends setting a limit of one drink per day for adults who choose to drink.
Our Reading
The advice sounds familiar. Another study, another reevaluation of what’s safe and what’s not. The recommendation enters another phase, as we’re told that the safest amount of alcohol to consume is actually none at all. This challenges older guidelines, which often suggested that up to two daily drinks for men was a safe limit. The study’s findings are based on an analysis of data from national health and demographic databases, and the researchers acknowledge that their study has limitations, including the reliance on self-reported drinking habits. The study’s lead author notes that “even low levels of alcohol use come with health risks,” and that “no amount of alcohol is good.” The doctor calls the research “convincing” in terms of showing that even lower levels of drinking carry a mortality risk. The study’s findings are a reminder that the science on alcohol consumption is constantly evolving, and that what was once thought to be safe may not be so safe after all. The more we learn, the more we realize that the safest bet is to err on the side of caution.
Author: Evan Null
