Alcohol's healthy halo dims as study finds drinking may be harmful for older adults, even at low levels

Americans, particularly those under age 35, are increasingly concerned about the health risks associated with moderate alcohol consumption, according to a recent study. A Gallup poll found that 45% of Americans now believe that having one or two alcoholic drinks per day is detrimental to health, the highest percentage recorded since the survey began in 2001. Younger adults were more likely to hold this view, with 65% expressing concerns about drinking’s impact on health. The poll also revealed that only 8% of adults believed that moderate drinking had a positive health effect, marking an all-time low. The study affirmed that moderate drinking does not offer health benefits, debunking the previous notion that a glass or two of alcohol per day, particularly wine, had positive health effects. Recent research has shown that alcohol can have adverse effects on health, including increasing the risk of various diseases. Moderate drinking was found to be associated with higher mortality rates, particularly from cancer and heart disease. The study further highlighted that the risks of alcohol consumption were more pronounced in individuals with lower incomes and more health conditions. However, individuals who predominantly consumed wine or drank with meals had slightly lower risks of cancer and death, suggesting that other factors associated with their lifestyle may contribute to this effect. Further research is necessary to precisely understand these distinctions.