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By Alyce Collins
Senior Reporter
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While heavy drinking has long been linked to negative health effects, the potential impact of low to moderate alcohol intake may depend on the type of beverage consumed, according to new research being presented later this month at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session.
The study, which analyzed data from more than 340,000 British adults, adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that less alcohol is generally better for long-term health—but also highlights that wine may carry different risks to beer or spirits when consumed at low-to-moderate levels.
“These results come from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular conditions, the risks could be even higher,” said paper author professor Zhangling Chen of the Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University, China, in a statement.
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What do the Findings Show?
Researchers examined alcohol consumption patterns and mortality outcomes among 340,924 participants in the UK Biobank, a health database that tracked adults between 2006 and 2022.
Participants completed dietary questionnaires detailing how often and how much alcohol they typically consumed alcoholic beverages. Consumption was measured in grams of pure alcohol per day and per week. For reference, a 12‑ounce beer, a 5‑ounce glass of wine and a 1.5‑ounce shot of spirits each contain approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol.
Participants were grouped into four categories based on intake. Those who drank less than 20 grams per week—about one-and-a-half standard drinks—were classified as never- or occasional drinkers. Low consumption was defined as between 20 grams per week and 20 grams per day for men, and between 20 grams per week and 10 grams per day for women. Moderate consumption ranged from 20 to 40 grams per day for men and 10 to 20 grams per day for women. High consumption exceeded 40 grams per day for men and 20 grams per day for women.
The findings showed that high alcohol intake was clearly associated with higher mortality. Compared with never- or occasional drinkers, heavy drinkers were 24 percent more likely to die from any cause, 36 percent more likely to die from cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from heart disease.
However, differences emerged with low and moderate alcohol drinkers. At these levels, consuming spirits, beer or cider was linked to a significantly higher risk of death than drinking never or occasionally. Wine stood out as an exception, as low to moderate wine consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk of death compared with abstaining or drinking occasionally.
Researchers also showed that moderate wine drinkers had a 21 percent lower risk of dying from heart-related causes than never- or occasional drinkers. In contrast, even low intake of spirits, beer or cider was associated with a 9 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death.
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Why it Matters
There are several factors which could explain why wine differs to other forms of alcohol. Red wine in particular contains polyphenols and antioxidants, which have been linked to improved cardiovascular health. Wine is also more commonly consumed with meals and tends to be associated with a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Beer, cider and spirits on the other hand are more often consumed outside of meals and were linked to lower overall diet quality.
This is why Lakelyn Lumpkin, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching, tells Newsweek that the relationship between alcohol and long-term health “is multifactorial.” It’s not just about the quantity or type of drink consumed, but also dietary, behaviorial and metabolic factors.
“The research highlights how the amount and the type of alcohol you consume have varying impacts on overall health,” Lumpkin said. “Red wine contains polyphenolic compounds, including resveratrol, flavonoids, and other antioxidants, which have been studied for their potential benefits on cardiovascular health and inflammation. These compounds may improve vascular function, reduce oxidative stress, and help regulate lipid profiles.”
Indeed, Lumpkin explained that wine consumption is often embedded within Mediterranean-style eating, whereas beer and spirits are favored in very different contexts which can lead to heavier drinking.
“These contextual differences, rather than the beverages alone, may contribute to the higher observed mortality risks associated with these types of drinks,” Lumpkin continued.
This research provides a nuanced picture of how both the amount and type of alcohol consumed may influence long-term health outcomes. While the study’s size and long follow-up period may strengthen its conclusions, researchers stressed that the study was observational and not without its limitations.
Researchers adjusted their analyses to account for a wide range of variables, including age, sex, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, cardiometabolic risk factors and family history. Regardless, Lumpkin notes that potential health benefits from moderate alcohol consumption shouldn’t be viewed as encouraging drinking for health purposes.
Do you have a health story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about alcohol consumption? Let us know via health@newsweek.com.
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