Moderate drinkers face a lower risk of premature death compared to non-drinkers and heavy drinkers, according to a forthcoming US study in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
Even after accounting for factors like body weight, physical activity, smoking habits, social networks, education, income, and more, the risk of premature death is still roughly halved for moderate drinkers.
U-shaped relationship
Multiple studies have confirmed that moderate drinkers have a lower risk of premature death than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers. This latest US research tested whether the classic 'U-shaped relationship' between alcohol intake and mortality risk holds up after adjusting for numerous confounders, including gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, past drinking issues, health conditions, obesity, smoking, and physical activity.
Key findings
As anticipated, these factors all influence mortality risk. Yet, after full adjustments, non-drinkers showed a 51% higher risk of premature death than moderate drinkers (1-3 alcoholic drinks per day). Heavy drinkers had a 45% higher risk compared to moderates.
The protective effects of moderate drinking stem primarily from alcohol's beneficial impact on cardiovascular disease risk.
