Drinking is part of everyday life for many people, but the science around its risks and benefits can be confusing. From cancer and liver disease to heart health and dementia, here’s what the latest research says about alcohol – and how much is too much.

In this article
  • What is ‘lower-risk’ drinking?
  • What are the health risks linked to alcohol?
  • What are possible benefits of alcohol?
  • Demographic differences in the effects of alcohol
  • Key points to consider
  • Helpful resources
What is ‘lower-risk’ drinking?

There's no completely safe level of alcohol because it's linked to many risks to health (see the roundup below). But the NHS has guidelines to lower your risk of harm to your health.1 

To lower health risks from alcohol, they advise that both men and women should:

  • Drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week
  • Spread those units over at least three days
  • Have a few alcohol-free days per week

Fourteen units is about a bottle and half of wine, or six pints of average-strength beer. 

Things to keep in mind:

  • Food slows down alcohol absorption, so drinking with meals may help lessen the effects of alcohol.2 
  • If you drink regularly, your body starts to build up a tolerance to alcohol. This can lead to the consumption of more alcohol to get the same effects, which can increase the likelihood of harmful effects. 
  • There’s increasing evidence that any alcohol consumption may be harmful to health, in particular increasing the risk of seven cancers for which there may be no safe level of consumption3 (see “Cancer” section in the risks below).
What are the health risks linked to alcohol? 

If we drink more than advised, there many health risks. The evidence below tells the stories.

Accidents and injuries: In 2022, an estimated 6,800 people in Great Britain were killed or injured in crashes where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit. That’s a slight rise from 2021, though still the third lowest figure since records began in 1979. Within those numbers, around 300 people lost their lives – the highest death toll since 2009.7 The legal limit for drivers is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in England and Wales, but in Scotland it is lower, at 50 milligrams.

Alcohol-related hospital admissions: In 2023/24, there were an estimated 280,747 hospital admissions in England linked to alcohol. This is the highest rate as a percentage of the population since 2019/20.23

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD): Drinking heavily over time can stop the liver from repairing itself, leading to permanent damage.8 The signs of liver disease often take years to appear, and by then the harm may already be severe. Because symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions, alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is often misdiagnosed. 

The severity of ARLD depends on how much alcohol a person drinks and whether they stop. It can range from fatty liver disease, which is reversible, to alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation), and the most serious stage, cirrhosis – where severe scarring prevents the liver from working properly.9 

The risk of cirrhosis is about six times higher in people who drink the equivalent of three to five pints of beer or half a bottle of wine every day for 10–12 years, compared with those who drink around one to two pints of beer or a couple of glasses of wine daily. Age adds to the risk, as the body becomes less able to cope with alcohol.10 In England, deaths from alcoholic liver disease have risen in recent years. In 2023, there were 5,984 premature deaths, compared with 5,776 in 2002 – an increase of 3.6%.11 

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs): Drinking too much on a regular basis can lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). This means finding it hard to cut down or stop drinking, and it can take different forms – from abuse and dependence to full addiction. AUD is classed as a brain disorder and can range from mild to severe. The good news is that recovery is possible. Evidence-based treatments include behavioural therapies, support groups and, in some cases, medication.4 

Globally, about 400 million people live with an alcohol use disorder – around 7% of everyone over 15. In the UK, figures from 2019–20 show that just over 600,000 adults are dependent on alcohol.6 

Cancer: Alcohol is linked to several types of cancer. In 2020, an estimated 16,800 cancer cases in the UK were linked to alcohol – about 4.1% of all new diagnoses that year. The figure was higher for men (4.9%) than for women (3.2%).12 

Not everyone who drinks will get cancer, but drinking does increase the risk compared with those who don’t. Experts agree there is no safe level of drinking when it comes to cancer.13

The seven types of cancer most strongly linked to alcohol are:14 

  • mouth 
  • pharyngeal (upper throat)
  • oesophageal (food pipe)
  • laryngeal (voice box)
  • breast 
  • bowel 
  • liver 

Heavy drinking raises the risk most sharply for mouth and throat cancers. But alcohol is also a major driver of breast cancer: around 1 in 10 cases – about 4,400 a year in the UK – are caused by drinking, and even low levels of alcohol increase the risk.

Cancer Research UK puts it simply: 

  • It’s alcohol itself that causes damage - the type of drink doesn’t matter.
  • Whatever your drinking habits, cutting down reduces your risks.  

Cardiovascular disease: There are many reports linking alcohol use and cardiovascular disease risks.15 Studies don’t always agree, partly because they use different methods.16 Heavy drinking is strongly linked to ischaemic heart disease – when the arteries that supply the heart become narrowed, reducing blood flow. Alcohol also raises blood pressure – at any level for men, and above about two drinks a day for women. High levels of drinking increase the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), and some research suggests these risks may exist even at lower levels.

Alcohol can also cause structural damage to the heart and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat).17 There is also an association between former heavy drinking and a higher risk of heart failure, compared with people who never drank, or only drank occasionally.18  

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2019, alcohol was linked to 474,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide – more than the 401,000 cancer deaths attributed to alcohol in the same year. This makes heart disease the leading alcohol-related killer.5 

Osteoporotic fractures: There is strong evidence that drinking more alcohol raises the risk of osteoporotic fractures – broken bones caused by fragile, thinning bones. The picture is less clear at low levels of drinking: some studies suggest that light drinkers have slightly higher bone density than people who don’t drink at all.22 

Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas is another condition linked to heavy drinking. The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach that helps with digestion and blood sugar control. When it becomes inflamed, it can cause painful and sometimes serious illness. Common symptoms include indigestion, vomiting and fever.21 

Pregnancy complications: Drinking alcohol during pregnancy carries particular risks. There is no safe level of alcohol in pregnancy. It increases the chance of miscarriage, premature birth and low birthweight. Alcohol can also cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) – a lifelong condition that develops when a baby is exposed to alcohol in the womb.

FASD can lead to a wide range of problems, including:

  • difficulties with learning and behaviour
  • issues with joints, bones, muscles and some organs
  • challenges in managing emotions and social skills
  • hyperactivity and poor impulse control
  • problems with speech and communication

Sleep disorders: Alcohol can also interfere with sleep. A review of 11 studies involving 45,000 people found that drinking reduces overall sleep quality. It tends to suppress rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – the stage linked with dreaming and memory – while increasing deep “slow wave” sleep, which may leave you feeling groggy rather than rested.20 

What are possible benefits of alcohol?

Are there any possible health benefits if you stick to the recommended levels? Despite the bad news, alcohol in modest amounts has been shown to have possible health benefits.

Cancers: A recent analysis of health records from postmenopausal women found that light to moderate drinking was associated with a lower risk of four cancers: non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma (a blood cancer), thyroid cancer and renal cell (kidney) cancer.28 

Cardiovascular disease: While the risks of heavy drinking are clear, some studies suggest that light to moderate drinking (around 2–4 units a day) may be linked with a lower risk of heart disease.24 

But this is hard to separate from other factors, as lifestyle, genetics and social background also play a role.25

Red wine has often been studied for possible heart benefits. Compounds called polyphenols – found in grapes, nuts, olives and herbs – may help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.26 However, wine drinkers are often wealthier and healthier overall, which may influence the results. 

Moderate drinkers, particularly of red wine, may show a slightly lower risk of heart disease than non-drinkers. But experts agree it would be unwise to recommend alcohol as a way of protecting the heart, since there are safer and more effective steps – such as being active and not smoking. 

Dementia and cognitive decline: A 2023 review of seven studies29 found that low to moderate drinking was linked to a lower risk of dementia. But drinking more than about two drinks a day (24g of alcohol) was associated with a higher risk – particularly for men, where rates of dementia linked to heavy drinking were 7.8% compared with 3.2% for women.

But it’s important to note that research into non-drinkers can be misleading, as this group sometimes includes people who gave up alcohol after health problems or heavy drinking in the past.

Type 2 diabetes: A review of 55 studies found that low to moderate drinking may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in women, but not in men.27 

Demographic differences in the effects of alcohol

Heavy drinking is harmful for everyone, but the risks are not evenly spread. Research shows that sex, age and region all make a difference. 

Globally, the WHO estimates suggest that young people are most negatively affected by alcohol, with those aged 20-39 accounting for the highest share of alcohol-related deaths in 2019.5 

Men are also more severely affected than women: they are more likely to develop alcohol-related cancers, dementia and high blood pressure, and less likely to see any of the limited benefits that light drinking may bring – such as a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. 

In England, there is also a clear north–south divide in alcohol dependence. Rates are highest in the North East (17.7%) and North West (17.5%), and lowest in the East (11.2%) and South East (11.6%).6 

Key points to consider
  • UK guidance on low-risk drinking is largely backed by scientific evidence, with only limited health risks at those levels.  
  • To reduce harm, it is best to drink with food, spread drinks across the week and include at least two alcohol-free days. 
  • Drinking more than the recommended levels increases the risk of accidents, liver disease, cancer, heart problems and other health conditions. 
  • While some research hints at possible protective effects from moderate drinking, there are safer and more effective ways to lower disease risk.
  • A healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking remain the most reliable ways to protect long-term health. 

Reviewed and updated by Daniel Piears, August 2025.

Helpful resources

Addiction resources 
Drinkaware advice and support
NHS alcohol support
NHS University Hospitals Sussex – How to safely reduce your alcohol intake
Alcohol Change UK

Read these Age Watch articles next

Alcohol diary
Women and alcohol
Tips for a healthy life

References

1. NHS. Alcohol Units. 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/calculating-alcohol-units/
2. Jani B D, McQueenie R, Nicholl BI, et al. Association between patterns of alcohol consumption (beverage type, frequency and consumption with food) and risk of adverse health outcomes: a prospective cohort study. BMC Medicine. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33430840/
3. US Office of the Surgeon General. Alcohol and Cancer Risk 2025.
https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/alcohol-cancer/index.html
4. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder. 2025. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder 
5. World Health Organisation. Alcohol. 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol 
6. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Estimates of alcohol dependent adults in England: summary. 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-dependence-prevalence-in-england/estimates-of-alcohol-dependent-adults-in-england-summary 
7. Department for Transport. Reported road casualties in Great Britain, involving illegal alcohol levels: 2022. 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2022 
8. NHS. Alcohol Related Liver Disease. 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-related-liver-disease-arld/ 
9. Mirowski K, Balicka-Ślusarczyk B, Hydzik P, et al. Alcohol-associated liver disease:  a current overview. Folia Medica Cracoviensia. 2024. https://journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/150156/edition/132968/content 
10. Castro C, Martin MM, Veleiro IN. Alcohol consumption in elderly people. What is the real magnitude of the problem?. Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39038787/ 
11. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Liver disease profile, December 2024 update. 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/liver-disease-profile-december-2024-update/liver-disease-profile-december-2024-update 
12. Rumgay H, Shield K, Charvat H, et al. Global burden of cancer in 2020 attributable to alcohol consumption: a population-based study. The Lancet Oncology. 2021. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(21)00279-5/fulltext 
13. Jun S, Park H, Kim, U, et al. Cancer risk based on alcohol consumption levels: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiol Health. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37905315/ 
14. Cancer Research UK. How Does Alcohol Cause Cancer. 2023. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/alcohol-and-cancer/how-does-alcohol-cause-cancer 
15. British Heart Foundation. Alcohol and heart disease: What are the risks. 2025. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/effects-of-alcohol-on-your-heart 
16. Roerecke M. Alcohol’s Impact on the Cardiovascular System. Nutrients. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34684419/ 
17. Fernandez-Sola J. The Effects of Ethanol on the Heart: Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy. Nutrients. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32098364/ 
18. Larsson SC, Wallin A, Walk A. Alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure: Meta-analysis of 13 prospective studies. Clinical Nutrition. 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261561417301681 
19. NHS. Drinking alcohol while pregnant. 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/drinking-alcohol-while-pregnant/ 
20. Hu N, Ma Y, He J, et al. Alcohol consumption and incidence of sleep disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871620304245?via%3Dihub 
21. NHS. Causes: Acute Pancreatitis. 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-pancreatitis/causes/ 
22. Godos J, Giampieri F, Chisari E, et al. Alcohol Consumption, Bone Mineral Density, and Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35162537/ 
23. NHS England. Statistics on Public, England, 2023. 2024. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-public-health/2023/part-1-hospital-admissions 
24. Patel A, Figueredo VM. Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease: Helpful or Hurtful. Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39076262/ 
25. Krittanawong C, Isath A, Rosenson RS, et al. Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health. The American Journal of Medicine. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35580715/ 
26. Luceron-Lucas-Torres M, Saz-Lara A, Diez-Fernandez A, et al. Association between Wine Consumption with Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37375690/ 
27. Llamosas-Falcon L, Rehm J, Bright S, et al. The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption, BMI, and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2023. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/46/11/2076/153773/The-Relationship-Between-Alcohol-Consumption-BMI 
28. Floud S, Hermon C, Simpson RF, et al. Alcohol consumption and cancer incidence in women: interaction with smoking, body mass index and menopausal hormone therapy. BMC Cancer. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37587405/ 
29. Kilian C, Klinger S, Rhem J, et al. Alcohol use, dementia risk, and sex: a systematic review and assessment of alcohol-attributable dementia cases in Europe. BMC Geriatrics. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37098501/ 

 

 

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