Even a Sip of Alcohol is Not Healthy for Your Heart: WHO

The risks and harms associated with drinking alcohol have been meticulously evaluated and documented over the years. 

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a statement in The Lancet Public Health, declaring that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. 

This unequivocal stance highlights the need for a global reassessment of how we perceive and consume alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance that has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. 

This highest risk group also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco. 

Alcohol consumption is directly linked to at least seven types of cancer, including some of the most common types like bowel cancer and female breast cancer. 

The biological mechanisms through which ethanol (alcohol) breaks down in the body contribute to its carcinogenic effects, implying that any alcoholic beverage, regardless of its price or quality, poses a cancer risk.

The risk of developing cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. 

Alarmingly, the latest data indicate that even “light” and “moderate” drinking—less than 1.5 liters of wine, 3.5 liters of beer, or 450 milliliters of spirits per week—accounts for half of all alcohol-attributable cancers in the WHO European Region. 

This drinking pattern is particularly responsible for the majority of alcohol-related breast cancers in women, with the highest burden observed in European Union (EU) countries. 

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in the EU, and the incidence rate is steadily increasing, largely driven by alcohol consumption.

To identify a "safe" level of alcohol consumption, scientific evidence would need to demonstrate a threshold below which no risk of illness or injury exists. 

However, the WHO's new statement clarifies that no such threshold has been identified. 

The carcinogenic effects of alcohol begin with the first sip and increase with the amount consumed. 

There are no studies proving that the potential benefits of light and moderate drinking on cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes outweigh the cancer risks.

Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, acting Unit Lead for Noncommunicable Disease Management and Regional Advisor for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in the WHO Regional Office for Europe, emphasizes, “We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. 

It doesn’t matter how much you drink—the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. 

The more you drink, the more harmful it is—or, in other words, the less you drink, the safer it is.”

The notion of alcohol having beneficial effects has been contentious for years. 

Dr. Jürgen Rehm, a member of the WHO Regional Director for Europe’s Advisory Council for Noncommunicable Diseases, points out that studies suggesting protective effects of alcohol often depend on the comparison groups chosen and statistical methods used, which may overlook other relevant factors.

Globally, the WHO European Region has the highest alcohol consumption level and the highest proportion of drinkers. 

Over 200 million people in this region are at risk of developing alcohol-attributable cancer. 

Disadvantaged and vulnerable populations face even higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations, as the harms from drinking are exacerbated by socio-economic factors.

Dr. Ferreira-Borges stresses the importance of public awareness and policy changes: “When we talk about possible so-called safer levels of alcohol consumption or its protective effects, we ignore the bigger picture of alcohol harm in our region and the world. 

Although it is well established that alcohol can cause cancer, this fact is still not widely known to the public in most countries. 

We need cancer-related health information messages on labels of alcoholic beverages, similar to tobacco products; empowered and trained health professionals to inform their patients about alcohol and cancer risk; and overall wide awareness of this topic in countries and communities.”

The WHO's statement serves as a stark reminder that even a sip of alcohol can negatively impact heart health and overall well-being. 

As the world grapples with the health consequences of alcohol consumption, it is crucial to prioritize public education and policy measures that minimize these risks and promote healthier lifestyles.