A comprehensive scientific study concludes that no level of alcohol consumption is safe. In 2016, alcohol contributed to nearly 3 million deaths worldwide, including 12% of deaths among men aged 15 to 49. Drawing on broad data for all types—beer, wine, spirits—the researchers linked drinking to serious health risks.
Consumption patterns differ widely by country, gender, average intake per drinker, and disease burden. Globally, more than 2 billion people were current drinkers in 2016, with 63% male.
The study defines "average consumption" as a standard drink of 10 grams pure alcohol daily, equivalent to:
• A small glass of red wine (100 ml at 13% alcohol);
• A can or bottle of beer (375 ml at 3.5% ABV); or
• A shot of whiskey or spirits (30 ml at 40% ABV).
Standard drinks vary by country: 8 grams in the UK; 10 grams in Australia; 14 grams in the US; and 20 grams in Japan.
Analyzing data from 1990 to 2016 across 195 countries and territories—by age and gender—the study tracks current use prevalence, abstinence, intake among drinkers, attributable deaths, and disease burden for 23 health outcomes, such as:
• Cardiovascular diseases: atrial fibrillation and flutter, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, hypertensive heart disease, ischemic heart disease, alcoholic cardiomyopathy;
• Cancers: breast, colorectal, liver, esophagus, larynx, lip/oral cavity, nose;
• Other non-communicable diseases: alcohol-related liver cirrhosis, diabetes, epilepsy, pancreatitis, alcohol use disorders;
• Communicable diseases: lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis;
• Intentional injuries: interpersonal violence, self-harm;
• Unintentional injuries: mechanical forces, poisonings, fire/heat/hot substances, drowning, other accidents;
• Transport injuries.
With the most extensive evidence yet, this research clearly demonstrates alcohol's toll: it drives substantial health loss worldwide, in numerous ways.
