Alcohol: Separating the myths from the science

Source: Nida Al Watan

After alcohol consumption became associated with the concept of moderation, recent studies have reopened the debate over whether there is actually a safe level of alcohol consumption, and whether a glass of wine can truly protect the heart and arteries from health risks.

Between prevailing beliefs and emerging scientific evidence, it is important to shed light on the potential risks and the quantities, if any, that should be adhered to.

Before 2025, scientific guidelines suggested that consuming a certain amount of alcohol was considered safe for overall health. Those recommendations have since changed, with alcohol consumption now recognized as a health risk. The idea that drinking a glass of red wine every day benefits the health of the heart and arteries is no longer supported.

New studies have shown that people who consumed a glass of red wine were generally already in good health, regardless of the alcohol itself, because they tended to follow a healthy and stable lifestyle.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate drinking as no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. However, even this level of consumption is not entirely risk-free and still carries potential health risks.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to numerous health complications, according to Dr. Chloe Saadeh Kourbani, a family medicine specialist. Among the most serious is cancer, including breast, colorectal, vocal cord, laryngeal and oral cancers. Alcohol can also contribute to problems affecting the liver, immune system and pancreas, as well as mental health and cardiovascular complications.

As for whether the risks vary according to age or sex, she explains:

“Alcohol reaches a higher concentration in women’s bodies than in men’s, which puts women at greater health risk regardless of the amount consumed. As women age, particularly after 65, their bodies become less able to metabolize alcohol, which consequently increases the risks.

“As for teenagers and young adults, because their brains have not yet fully developed, they are more vulnerable and are at greater risk of becoming alcohol consumers later in life.

“In general, anyone with chronic health conditions or taking long-term medication is more vulnerable to alcohol-related risks. Among the most serious is cancer, due to ethanol, which is classified as a carcinogen and is broken down by the body into acetaldehyde.”

Alcohol consumption can also affect the heart, arteries and brain, Dr. Kourbani explains. It can raise blood pressure, disrupt the heart’s electrical activity or weaken the heart muscle, and may cause heart or brain strokes. It can also affect sleep, mental health and the ability to concentrate.

As for whether health risks differ depending on the type of alcohol consumed, she says:

“Studies show that there is no significant difference between types of alcohol when it comes to health risks, because they all contain ethanol, the substance responsible for these health problems. The risks may, however, vary depending on the amount consumed.”

With the summer holiday season coinciding with late-night gatherings and major sporting events such as the World Cup, often accompanied by drinking and staying up late, risks can arise from excessive and irresponsible consumption, as well as from mixing alcohol with other beverages or substances, which can lead to health complications.

Dr. Kourbani explains that energy drinks do not lower blood alcohol levels or, conversely, increase alcohol’s effects on the body. Rather, the caffeine they contain can make consumers feel more alert, leading them to believe they are sober enough to drive or make sound decisions.

For this reason, awareness efforts should be direct and clear, particularly among young people. They should focus on the different types of alcohol, their short- and long-term health risks, and their impact on awareness, concentration and decision-making. Awareness campaigns should also work to correct common misconceptions surrounding alcohol consumption, particularly following changes in health recommendations.

Finally, such efforts can help young people develop the skills to distinguish between lower-risk consumption and behavior that poses a threat to public health, avoid developing addictive patterns, and ensure they can return home safely after a night out.

Dr. Kourbani recommends limiting alcohol consumption to no more than four drinks for women and five for men on a single occasion, and no more than eight drinks for women and 15 for men over the course of a week. Alcohol should also be avoided in situations considered unsafe, such as driving or operating machinery that could cause injury. She also stresses the importance of paying attention to psychological warning signs.

She offers four practical recommendations for reducing alcohol consumption at social gatherings:

Plan ahead: Decide in advance how many drinks you intend to have during the occasion.

Do not drink on an empty stomach. 

Do not mix alcohol with other drinks or substances. 

Make arrangements to get home safely.