Wine vs. Beer: New Study Reveals Which Drink Carries Higher Health Risks

Moderate wine consumption may offer a cardiovascular benefit, unlike spirits and beer, according to a new study. The research indicates that drinking wine in moderation is associated with a 21% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, consuming spirits, beer, and cider is linked to a 9% increase in this risk.

This nuanced conclusion challenges previous findings that often grouped all alcoholic beverages together, suggesting that the type of drink matters. The study, which analyzed the habits and mortality rates of nearly 341,000 adults in the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2022, categorized participants based on their alcohol intake.

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The results of the research relate to the general population. For certain groups with increased risk, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular problems, the risk may be even higher.

Researchers found that individuals who consumed large quantities of alcohol had a nearly 24% higher overall mortality rate compared to light or occasional drinkers. The risk of death from cancer increased by 36%, and from cardiovascular diseases by 14%. "These results could contribute to the improvement of guidelines as they show that health risks associated with alcohol do not depend solely on the amount of alcohol consumed, but also on the type of drink," said lead author Džangling Šen.

Another large study published in "BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine" also examined alcohol's impact on brain health, linking higher consumption to an increased risk of dementia. The current findings emphasize the need for more specific public health advice regarding alcohol consumption.

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These results could contribute to the improvement of guidelines as they show that health risks associated with alcohol do not depend solely on the amount of alcohol consumed, but also on the type of drink.