New alchohol research suggess even mild use can increase chance of cancer or dementia

Washington Post - New research published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that even light alcohol consumption can increase dementia risk.

The finding comes from data of more than 550,000 adults ages 56 to 72, as well as genetics information from 2.4 million study participants. It adds to evidence that even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful to our health, including increasing the risk of cancer or disrupting sleep.

Excessive alcohol consumption — more than 12 drinks per week — and alcohol use disorder have long been linked to dementia, an umbrella term for different types of progressive cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease.

But the science on an occasional glass of wine or beer had been more rosy. One influential study published in 2003 seemed to suggest that people who had one drink a day were actually less likely to get dementia than those who didn’t drink at all.

Sam Smith - In the 1980s, when my mother died and I was going to her executor, I realized that if I were to fairly and peacefully guide my five siblings I would have to be cold sober. I had been a more than moderate drinker for about three decades yet I managed to give it all up and still don't drink. I explain that I'm one of the few people who gave up drinking out of sibling rivalry.