June 9, 2026, 11:04 am | Read time: 6 minutes

How the Researchers Conducted the Analysis

How harmful is alcohol really–and what role does it play in cancer? To answer this question more precisely, the researchers comprehensively evaluated the available evidence on the health effects of different drinking levels. They analyzed the relationship between alcohol consumption and a total of 20 health issues. Ten types of cancer were considered–including breast, colon, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancer–as well as four cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation and stroke, and other diseases, including type 2 diabetes, dementia, liver cirrhosis, and pancreatitis.

The study, published in the journal “Nature Health,” is not a new clinical study but a large-scale systematic review with a meta-analysis.¹ The researchers conducted 16 systematic literature reviews and evaluated data from a total of 843 cohort and case-control studies published between 1961 and 2023.

The evaluation method used is particularly noteworthy: Using the so-called “Burden of Proof” approach, the researchers considered not only average risk changes but also differences between studies, potential biases, and statistical uncertainties. The goal was to assess the health effects of alcohol as conservatively and realistically as possible. The strength of the evidence was then translated into an easy-to-understand star system–from weak or contradictory (0 stars) to very strong and consistent scientific evidence (5 stars).

Alcohol Significantly Increases the Risk for Numerous Diseases

The evaluation shows that with increasing alcohol consumption, the risk for almost all examined diseases rises. However, the strength of this correlation depends on the specific disease.

The most pronounced correlation was found with pharyngeal cancer (excluding nasopharyngeal cancer). The risk here is increased by at least 105 percent even with usual amounts. For this type of cancer, the researchers found the strongest and most reliable evidence in the entire analysis. Even with small amounts of alcohol, the risk of disease measurably increased, and with each additional amount consumed, it continued to rise.

There was also well-documented evidence of an increased risk for liver cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases, pancreatitis, and several types of cancer, including colon, laryngeal, and lip and oral cavity cancer. For liver cirrhosis, the analysis showed at least a 40 percent higher risk within the range of usual consumption levels.

For esophageal, breast, liver, and pancreatic cancer, as well as atrial fibrillation, the scientists also found indications of an increased risk. However, the data was less clear here. At the same time, the results suggested that low to moderate alcohol amounts might be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. However, this advantage disappeared again with higher consumption–for diabetes, for example, from around four standard drinks (47 grams) per day.

A similar picture emerged for coronary heart disease and strokes: Low to moderate drinking levels were sometimes associated with a lower risk, while higher amounts caused the risk to rise again. However, since the results of the individual studies sometimes varied greatly, the scientists overall rated these possible protective effects as not very robust.

More on the topic

Risk for Chronic Diseases How Harmful Just One Slice of Sausage a Day Can Be

Study shows Even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of dementia

What Can Be Derived from the Study

The results primarily underscore the close connection between alcohol consumption and various types of cancer. According to the researchers’ assessments, the risk for several forms of cancer increases with higher consumption. Notably, an increased risk was sometimes observed with less than ten grams of alcohol per day–roughly equivalent to one standard drink.

At the same time, the analysis paints a nuanced picture. For some diseases, including type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain cardiovascular diseases, the authors found indications of possible benefits with low to moderate drinking levels. However, since the results are based solely on observational studies, other influencing factors could also have played a role.

The researchers therefore emphasize that the data neither support the claim that alcohol is healthy nor that every amount consumed is equally harmful. The health effects depend on the specific disease, the amount consumed, and individual factors.

Interestingly, the researchers also found no evidence that different risk thresholds should apply for women compared to men–alcohol had similarly harmful effects on both genders. The health balance also strongly depends on age: While younger people should ideally abstain completely, older individuals might benefit from the slight protective effects of moderate amounts due to their higher baseline risk for heart conditions, according to the researchers.

It is important to note: The results are not a recommendation to drink alcohol for health reasons. Even with small amounts, an increased risk for several types of cancer was already evident.

Also interesting: This beverage is linked to an increased risk of colon cancer

Contextualizing the Analysis and Possible Limitations

The study is among the most comprehensive analyses to date on the health effects of alcohol. Its strengths include the large data base with 843 studies, the systematic evaluation of research literature, and the so-called Burden-of-Proof approach, which particularly strictly considers uncertainties and differences between studies.

Nevertheless, the investigation has limitations. All included works were observational studies. They can show correlations but cannot definitively prove that alcohol is the cause of the observed effects. Additionally, much of the data was based on self-reports from participants. Differences in lifestyle, diet, or other factors cannot be fully accounted for statistically.

Also, different drinking patterns–such as occasional binge drinking–and different types of alcohol were not separately examined. The authors of the analysis therefore emphasize that any potential health benefits of alcohol should be interpreted cautiously. Genetic studies also point to this, as they often could not confirm the observed protective effects in cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or dementia.

The authors of the analysis stated that there are no conflicts of interest. The study was funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. According to the researchers, this had no influence on the study design, evaluation, or publication.