A 2016 study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs revealed a bias in many past alcohol studies that authors say exaggerated the positive impact drinking has on health.
For decades, governments and health organizations have recommended light to moderate alcohol consumption as a health benefit. But in January 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revised its health guidelines, removing a part that said light drinking could lower the risk of heart disease.
Researchers in the recent study combed through 87 past studies about alcohol and mortality risk and found that the category for lifetime abstainers from alcohol often included former drinkers. Out of all the studies reviewed, only 13 avoided bias by strictly using lifetime abstainers as the reference group and not including former drinkers.
“The common practice of including former drinkers in the abstainer reference group will bias drinking risk estimates downward, thereby magnifying the appearance of health benefits from low-level drinking,” the authors wrote.
In the studies without bias, comparing moderate drinkers and nondrinkers did not reveal any added health benefits for drinkers. The study further noted that former drinkers had a 38 percent increased risk of mortality compared to lifetime abstainers.
However, some experts argue the study results may be overstated. Dr. Kenneth Mukamal, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard’s School of Public Health told CNN it will take true clinical trials rather than observational studies to determine whether moderate drinking is good or bad for your health. Mukamal has no affiliation to the study.
Alcohol consumption is extremely common in the United States with more than half of Americans admitting to drinking each month, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Heavy drinking and binge drinking have long been associated with adverse health outcomes such as memory loss, blackouts, liver disease and cancer.
Cancer Risks and Alcohol
Prior to the United States shifting its stance on the health benefits of alcohol, the U.K., South Korea, Australia and Russia had already taken measures to reduce alcohol consumption. The countries were concerned about cancer risk and other negative health consequences associated with alcohol.
Multiple studies concluded that alcohol increased the risk of breast cancer. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a combined analysis of six major studies involving more than 320,000 women found that having two or more drinks per day increased the incidence of breast cancer by as much as 41 percent.
While the U.K. did not rule out that moderate drinking may have benefits, it revised its health guidelines to reflect new research linking an increase in cancer risk with any amount of regularly consumed alcohol.
“There is no safe level of drinking,” U.K. Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies said in a TV interview.
A World Health Organization study describing the dangers alcohol consumption posed to health prompted Russia to restrict alcohol sales and raise taxes on beer and vodka.
The Alcohol Industry Disagrees with Findings
For decades, the alcohol industry has benefited from health organizations promoting the positive health effects of moderate drinking. However, following new research highlighting cancer risks and other negative health consequences of alcohol, health organizations are now retracting their advice about the health benefits of alcohol.
In response to the shifting stance, the alcohol industry chose to counter the anti-alcohol research by funding its own alcohol research and working with governments to develop new strategies.
Referring to alcohol critics at an April conference, Beer Institute president Jim McGreevy said, “We can’t let them gain traction.”
But the alcohol industry has reasons to worry. Through new liquor taxes and restrictions on sales and advertising, the government can influence people’s attitudes toward alcohol consumption.
A few examples of government influence on alcohol consumption include:
- In 2009, Australia saw a decrease in national alcohol consumption after the government encouraged the public to drink less.
- In 2011, Maryland increased alcohol taxes, resulting in a decrease in liquor, beer and wine sales.
- Russia saw a 20 percent decrease in alcohol sales over several years after its government advised against drinking alcohol.
In light of the growing concern about the safety of drinking, four major alcohol companies are funding a major study assessing the health effects of alcohol. Despite knowing that the findings may not be in their favor, the companies believe that it is paramount to obtain a conclusive answer for their consumer’s health and for their businesses.
“My advice: Drink for the enjoyment, sure,” said Dr. Tim Stockwell, co-author of the study. “But just don’t kid yourself that you are doing it for your health.”
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