Alcohol occupies a complex and often contradictory role in society, celebrated for its social and cultural significance yet scrutinized for its potential to harm health. While moderate drinking has long been associated with certain health benefits, recent research increasingly challenges these assumptions, revealing risks even at low levels of consumption. At the same time, societal attitudes toward alcohol are shifting, with growing awareness of its negative impact on long-term health and quality of life. In fact, in 2023, the World Health Organization declared there is no safe dose of alcohol consumption. The popular press headlines on the topic are leaving light-to-moderate drinkers asking, “how worried should I be?”
Against this backdrop, we are dedicating this premium article to an examination of alcohol’s effects on health, focusing not just on how it influences lifespan (as discussed in a previous premium piece) but also on its more immediate and profound effects on healthspan—the portion of life spent in good health. We will explore the relationship between alcohol and the four horsemen of chronic disease, outline day-to-day cumulative impacts of alcohol consumption, present potential disease risk modifiers, and summarize approaches for alcohol harm reduction—including not only strategies for drinking less, but also strategies for making any alcohol you do consume less damaging. In sum, this piece provides a realistic, quantified look at the risks associated with alcohol consumption, allowing you to find a balanced, risk-informed relationship with alcohol.
