Is Drinking Alcohol Good for Your Health? New Research Says No
For years, the idea that moderate alcohol consumption — especially wine — could be good for your heart or longevity was widely reported. But new, large-scale research has overturned this belief. The truth? No amount of alcohol is good for your health.
According to the World Health Organization and other leading researchers, alcohol is a toxin that negatively affects nearly every organ in the body — and the risks far outweigh any previously suggested benefits.
The Myth of “Healthy” Drinking
Contrary to old claims that moderate drinking might protect against heart disease or stroke, newer and more rigorous analyses have found those studies were flawed or misinterpreted.
A 2023 systematic review published in JAMA Network Open analyzed data from over 100 studies and concluded there is no safe level of alcohol consumption (Zhao et al., 2023). The studies that previously linked moderate drinking to health benefits failed to account for confounding factors, such as socioeconomic status or pre-existing health conditions.
In short: Red wine isn’t helping your heart, and vodka isn’t extending your life.
Alcohol Increases Risk of Disease and Death
The most recent global data show that even small amounts of alcohol raise the risk of:
Heart disease
Stroke
High blood pressure
Liver disease
Certain cancers, especially breast and colon cancer
Depression and anxiety
One analysis found that people who drink just two ounces of alcohol per day have a 35% higher risk of early death than moderate drinkers. For women, the risk is even higher — a 61% increase in mortality for those consuming more than two ounces daily (World Heart Federation, 2022).
Benefits of Quitting Alcohol: What Happens When You Stop Drinking
Giving up alcohol — even for a short period — leads to measurable health improvements. In as little as two weeks, most people report:
Better sleep
Reduced anxiety and depression
Improved liver function
Lower blood pressure
Increased energy
Weight loss
Clearer skin
Over time, the benefits compound. A 30-day break from alcohol (such as “Dry January”) has been shown to reduce long-term drinking and improve health behaviors overall (de Visser et al., 2016).
Alcohol Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous — Get Medical Help
For people who drink heavily or daily, stopping alcohol suddenly can lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome, a serious condition that can be life-threatening. Symptoms may include tremors, seizures, hallucinations, or dangerously high blood pressure. Medically supervised detox is essential for safe recovery in these cases. Once detox is complete — typically within 3–5 days — ongoing treatment and a structured recovery program are critical for lasting sobriety.
Research shows that people who engage in a treatment program for at least three years have over a 90% chance of maintaining long-term sobriety (Kelly et al., 2019).
The Bottom Line: Alcohol Is Not Good for You — And You Can Feel Better Without It
Alcohol is not a health food. It’s a drug that affects the brain, heart, liver, and entire body — and the more you drink, the higher the risk. But the good news is, it’s never too late to stop. Whether you cut back for a month or quit for good, your body and mind will thank you.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol, treatment programs like Affect’s can help. Recovery is possible — and the benefits can be life-changing.
References
de Visser, R. O., Robinson, E., & Bond, R. (2016). Voluntary temporary abstinence from alcohol during “Dry January” and subsequent alcohol use. Health Psychology, 35(3), 281–289. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000236
Kelly, J. F., Greene, M. C., & Bergman, B. G. (2019). Beyond abstinence: Changes in indices of quality of life with time in recovery in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 43(4), 789–799. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.13969
World Heart Federation. (2022). Alcohol and cardiovascular health: Position paper. https://world-heart-federation.org/wp-content/uploads/WHF-Policy-Brief-Alcohol-and-CVD.pdf
Zhao, J., Stockwell, T., Naimi, T., Churchill, S., Clay, J., Sherk, A., & Norie, A. (2023). Association between daily alcohol intake and all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analyses. JAMA Network Open, 6(3), e236185. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6185