Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe? A Closer Look at the Evidence

Why Risk It? Avoid Alcohol!

In early 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) made headlines with a firm declaration: no level of alcohol consumption is safe for human health. Backing this claim was a 2021 study showing that even light to moderate drinking (1–2 drinks/day) contributed to over 23,000 cancer cases in the EU in 2017. Similarly, Canada’s new guidelines suggest that more than two drinks per week could pose significant health risks.

While heavy and binge drinking are widely acknowledged as harmful, the debate intensifies around light to moderate alcohol use. Some studies have highlighted potential benefits—particularly for adults over 40—including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even improved longevity. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, moderate drinking has been associated with lower disease scores and better quality of life. However, these findings are nuanced and sometimes conflicting.

Recent meta-analyses have questioned previous studies claiming health benefits due to potential confounding (e.g., healthier drinkers, better access to healthcare). One such study is "Alcohol and Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses Based on Prospective Cohort Studies" by Zhong et al., published in Frontiers in Public Health in May 2022. The PubMed article summary can be found HERE.

Newer studies (2022–2023) using Mendelian randomization techniques often do not support benefits of alcohol. A notable Mendelian randomization (MR) study that investigates the causal relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular diseases is: Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study by Larsson SC, Back M, Rees JM, Mason AM, Burgess S. It was Published in: Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, 2020.DOI: 10.1161/CIRCGEN.119.002814​PubMed+1adgenetics.org+1

For individuals with rheumatic disease or those on medications like methotrexate, alcohol may increase liver toxicity and other complications. Guidance varies: while the American College of Rheumatology recommends avoidance, the UK NHS allows up to 14 units per week under certain conditions. The truth? More data is needed to make fully informed, individualized recommendations.

WHO’s concern is not without merit: alcohol-related harms disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, and the link to cancer is well-established. While some individuals may weigh the minimal risk of occasional drinking against the social or psychological benefits, a “why-risk-it” approach is gaining traction among health professionals.

At Ministry Medicine International, we encourage biblical stewardship of the body. We also believe in the importance of education and open conversation—not shame or fear—as we guide patients toward healthier lives.