Are there any cardiac health benefits from alcohol?
Published on: 11-28-2024
Q: I read there are possible cardiac health benefits from alcohol, but the church does not recommend its use. Is it time to change our position?
A: Robust evidence has successfully challenged the longstanding belief that moderate alcohol consumption might be harmless or even beneficial. The research indicates that there is no safe level of alcohol intake, particularly concerning its links to cancer and heart disease. This shift in understanding has been reinforced by the findings of global health organizations and task forces focused on alcohol-related harm.
One of the most compelling arguments against any level of alcohol consumption comes from its association with cancer. Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),1 meaning it is a substance that is definitely capable of causing cancer in humans. Specifically, alcohol consumption has been linked to a variety of cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon.
Recent studies have shown that even low levels of alcohol intake can increase the risk of cancer. The Lancet Oncology highlighted that light drinking (defined as up to one drink per day) could still increase the risk of breast cancer in women.2 The mechanism behind alcohol’s carcinogenicity involves the metabolism of ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage DNA and proteins, leading to mutations that can initiate cancer development. Additionally, alcohol can exacerbate the harmful effects of other carcinogens, such as those found in tobacco.
The relationship between alcohol and heart disease is more complex and has been the subject of considerable debate. For many years some studies suggested that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, might offer protective effects against coronary heart disease because of the presence of such antioxidants as resveratrol. Newer and more comprehensive research, however, has refuted these claims.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2024 revealed that even moderate alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, especially in women.3 Furthermore, alcohol’s impact on blood pressure and cholesterol levels can contribute to an overall increased risk of cardiovascular disease, counteracting any potential benefits from antioxidants found in some alcoholic drinks.
In 2016 alcohol use resulted in more than 3 million deaths worldwide and is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Younger people between the ages of 20 and 39 years were disproportionately affected. Alcohol results in more deaths than tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes. A little more than 5 percent of the global population live with alcohol use disorders (AUDs).4
The evidence is clear: no level of alcohol intake can be considered safe, especially when it comes to cancer and heart disease. A recently published book entitled Alcohol: All Risk, No Benefit, edited by Peter N. Landless and Duane C. McBride, addresses this important topic.
The church cannot change its stance on alcohol. Thankfully, the world of health science has changed its position. Still, implementing interventions to reduce global consumption will be a slow and arduous journey.
1 S. M. Gapstur, V. Bouvard, S. T. Nethan, J. L. Freudenheim, C. C. Abnet, D. R. English, et al., “The IARC Perspective on Alcohol Reduction or Cessation and Cancer Risk,” New England Journal of Medicine, published online Dec. 28, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr2306723.
2 Benjamin O. Anderson et al., “Health and Cancer Risks Associated With Low Levels of Alcohol Consumption,” The Lancet Public Health 8, no. 1 (2023): e6-e7, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(22)00317-6/fulltext.
3 “Alcohol Raises Heart Disease Risk, Particularly Among Women,” American College of Cardiology, published online Mar. 28, 2024, retrieved from https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2024/03/28/11/58/alcohol- raises-heart-disease-risk-particularly-among-women.
4 World Health Organization, “Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 to Strengthen Implementation of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” July 2021, retrieved from https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/alcohol/alcohol-action-plan/first-draft/global_ alcohol_action_plan_first-draft_july_2021.pdf.
Peter N. Landless & Zeno L. Charles-Marcel
Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, a board-certified internist, is director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference. Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist and Adventist Health Ministries emeritus of the General Conference, is also a board-certified internist.
