A long-term observational study examining health data from hundreds of thousands of participants suggests that the specific type of alcoholic beverage consumed may influence mortality risks alongside total consumption levels, FOX News reports.
In an analysis of data from over 340,000 UK Biobank participants followed over an average period exceeding 13 years, researchers found that heavy drinking across all beverage types consistently correlated with elevated mortality.
Individuals with high alcohol consumption faced a 24 percent higher risk of all-cause mortality, a 36 percent higher risk of cancer death, and a 14 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to non-drinkers or occasional consumers. High consumption was defined as exceeding 40 grams of alcohol daily for men and 20 grams daily for women.
However, health outcomes diverged among low to moderate drinkers depending on the beverage selected. Participants consuming moderate amounts of wine demonstrated a 21 percent lower risk of cardiovascular death compared to non-drinkers or occasional consumers.
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Conversely, low or moderate consumption of spirits, beer, or cider was associated with a 9 percent higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. Researchers noted that non-alcoholic components in wine, such as polyphenols and antioxidants, may contribute to cardiovascular health by supporting blood vessel function and reducing inflammation.
Medical experts and the study’s authors emphasized caution when interpreting the observational results, noting that lifestyle factors, diet, and socio-economic differences among wine drinkers could influence the findings.
Additionally, clinical specialists warned against using population-level data to justify daily alcohol use, particularly for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or a history of substance use disorders. The study’s authors called for further randomized controlled trials to better understand the mechanisms underlying beverage-specific mortality risks.
