A study of more than 340,000 adults finds heavy drinking increases death risk regardless of beverage, highlighting the broader alcohol type mortality risk, while low to moderate wine consumption is linked to lower mortality compared with beer, cider or spirits.
Heavy Drinking Raises Death Risk Across All Alcohol Types
Researchers analyzing data from the UK Biobank report that high alcohol consumption significantly raises the risk of death from all causes, cancer and heart disease. The findings will be presented March 28 at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans.
Participants were tracked for more than 13 years on average after reporting their drinking habits between 2006 and 2022, providing extensive data on alcohol type mortality risk. Compared with never or occasional drinkers, heavy drinkers had a 24% higher risk of death from any cause, a 36% higher cancer death risk, and a 14% higher cardiovascular death risk.
Wine Linked to Lower Risk at Moderate Levels
At lower levels of drinking, the type of alcohol appeared to influence outcomes. People who mainly consumed beer, cider or spirits showed a higher risk of death even at low to moderate intake levels.
In contrast, moderate wine drinkers had a significantly lower risk of death compared with never or occasional drinkers. For cardiovascular disease, moderate wine consumption was associated with a 21% lower risk of death.
Researchers said their findings clarify previously mixed evidence on low to moderate drinking and alcohol type mortality risk. Even small amounts of beer, cider or spirits were associated with a 9% higher risk of cardiovascular death compared with minimal or no alcohol use.
Experts Urge Caution Despite Nuanced Findings
The study is observational and does not prove cause and effect. Researchers said factors such as diet, lifestyle and drinking patterns may explain some of the differences.
Wine is often consumed with meals and linked to healthier diets and behaviors, while beer and spirits are more commonly associated with smoking or lower physical activity levels. Red wine also contains compounds such as polyphenols that may benefit heart health.
“These results come from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, the risks could be even higher,” Chen said.
The analysis accounted for factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, and medical history, yet the pattern of alcohol type mortality risk remained consistent. Experts caution that the results should not encourage non-drinkers to start drinking, emphasizing that lower alcohol consumption is generally better for long-term health.
The research provides a more detailed view of how drinking habits influence mortality risk, but further studies are needed to confirm whether specific beverages directly affect health outcomes.
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