But some effects, like cirrhosis of the liver, can be permanent once present—so early intervention is key. Up to one drink per day—with a slight increase in life expectancy compared to abstaining (not drinking at all). A systematic review of 107 trials triggered the latest rash of headlines on whether alcohol affects mortality (JAMA Network Open, March 31, 2023). This ambitious study covered 4.8 million people who had told scientists whether and how much they drank. To determine whether people who drink just a little on a regular basis have any health advantage, the researchers compared them to individuals defined as occasional drinkers, less than one drink a week.

Comparing Light and Heavy Alcohol Consumption:

The study focused on current drinkers to reduce the risk of bias caused by those who abstain from alcohol due to poor health. However, the study used self-reported alcohol consumption and relied on observational data, so no firm conclusions can me made about cause and effect. The study did not look at the effect of alcohol consumption over the does drinking alcohol shorten your life life-course or account for people who may have reduced their consumption due to health complications.

The Connection Between Alcohol Consumption and Longevity

Compared with nondrinkers, regular drinkers in males shortened life by 6.86 years (95% CI 6.58–7.14 years), while regular drinkers with smoking loss 10.25 years (95% CI 9.84–10.66 years) when compared to nonsmoking non-drinker. In the other hand, male modest drinkers gain 0.94 years (95% CI 0.65–1.23 years) and male modest drinkers who were never smokers gain 3.97 years (95% CI 3.65–4.29 years), but loss 2.04 years (95% CI 1.64–2.44 years) if smoking (Fig. 1). Recent research has shown that alcohol consumption could increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease and more, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is evidence that suggest drinking small amounts of alcohol might have benefits, though.

Study 7: Daily Alcohol Intake and All-Cause Mortality

The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. At New Breath Recovery, we offer personalized drug and alcohol addiction treatment options tailored to each patient’s unique condition and needs. According to statistics, the risk of suicide among alcoholics is 2 times higher than in sober people. All authors conceived and designed the study, analyzed and interpreted the data, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and obtained funding.

The central Ohio location means we are also just a short drive (or even shorter flight) from Pittsburgh and other parts of Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek. I mean, it is important to note that alcohol technically is poison, despite how fun the effects may be. Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Whether its a glass of bubbly to celebrate a special occasion or a wild night out on the tiles, most of us enjoy a drink. She suggests kindness, caring, and being of service, including volunteering, as important for one’s psychological state and mood.

• Regular drinking can also lead to alcoholic fatty liver disease—a build-up of fat cells in the liver linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• Other risk factors include elevated body mass index, ethnicity, and genetics.
• Over time, drinking increases the risk of many potentially life-threatening diseases, including cancer, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease.
• Alcohol is detrimental to our physical health in the short and long term — directly impacting our life expectancy.

There is no evidence to say that one drink, such as red wine or beer, is considered better than another. Studies have found that alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in the liver, breast, mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, stomach, and colon. Financial stress can affect anyone, regardless of individual wealth—although obviously that stress is greater for some people than others. A 2014 study published in BMC Public Health looked at financial stress in late adulthood. For those who desire a few more quality trips around the sun, researchers across many disciplines are continually seeking new information on ways to extend the human life span. In a 2020 study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers examined a wide variety of what is alcoholism risk factors related to life expectancy.

• However, certain “resilience factors” can help shield children from adversity.
• When adjusting for these issues, there’s no real evidence that modest alcohol consumption can help you live longer.

This umbrella review of systematic reviews identified 25 relevant studies on alcohol intake and all-cause mortality. This review examined the findings from 60 studies on alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality. Try to avoid locations, people, or activities that trigger you to want to drink. You could also consider trying alcohol-free alternatives, like non-alcoholic beers or mocktails, as a way of reducing psychological cravings. Stockwell’s own research has found a link between alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality, which directly contrasts the widely held belief that just a little bit of booze can be beneficial for health.

Regular and Heavy Drinking

Or the long-lived people of Sardinia, who commonly drink a few glasses of wine a day? “The Sardinians get more sunlight, eat better food, move more than us—there are so many variables at play, alcohol can’t be pegged as the cause of their good health,” says Nicola. Long-lived chronic drinkers live longer despite their drinking habit, not because of it, Attia points out in his book Outlive. As shown in Table 1, the alcohol consumption rate is quite different between males and females. The rate of modest drinking and regular drinking in males is 22.6% and 12.1%, whereas 5.8% and 2.3 in females. Since the number of female deaths is relatively small, we only analyze the life expectancy in males.

Alcohol consumption in later life and reaching longevity: the Netherlands Cohort Study

The causes for alcohol’s effect on longevity are exceptionally well-established, particularly in the case of heavy drinking. Let’s examine some of the specific health outcomes linked with drinking and how they might impact life expectancy. In recent decades, per capita alcohol consumption in the United States has been steadily increasing. As alcohol use rises, understanding its effects on our mental and physical well-being—particularly on longevity and life expectancy—becomes increasingly important (1). If you aren’t willing to cut your drinking habit cold turkey, you’re probably wondering exactly how many years it will set you back. One study suggests when compared to adults who drank less than seven drinks per week, drinking seven to 14 drinks per week shaved around an extra six months off their life expectancy (16).

• We’re empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.
• There is evidence that suggest drinking small amounts of alcohol might have benefits, though.
• Globally, about 32.5% of people are current drinkers, consuming an average of 0.73 standard drinks daily for females and 1.7 for males.
• “The Sardinians get more sunlight, eat better food, move more than us—there are so many variables at play, alcohol can’t be pegged as the cause of their good health,” says Nicola.

Common Questions About Alcoholism and Life Expectancy

If consumption stops suddenly, the person may experience withdrawal symptoms. It impairs an individual’s ability to drive or operate machinery safely, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Exceeding these amounts consistently leads to increased health risks. In the short term, alcohol can impair judgment and coordination, leading to accidents and injuries. It can also cause dehydration and hangovers, which are often accompanied by headaches, fatigue, and nausea. These immediate effects may not seem life-threatening but can lead to dangerous situations.