A large-scale study involving over 340,000 adults has revealed that not only the amount of alcohol consumed, but also the type of alcoholic beverage, can impact health.

Main Findings of the Study

The analysis showed that high alcohol consumption is associated with poorer health outcomes, regardless of the type of drink. However, at lower levels of consumption, the health effects may vary depending on the beverage chosen. These findings were presented at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology.

The study, based on data from more than 340,000 adults in the UK, confirmed that lower alcohol intake is generally linked to better health indicators. It also identified differences in the effects of low and moderate alcohol consumption depending on whether a person prefers wine, beer, cider, or spirits. In certain risk groups, such as people with chronic illnesses or cardiovascular problems, the risks may be even higher.

Study Methodology

The UK Biobank study included 340,924 adults between 2006 and 2022. Participants completed a dietary questionnaire at the start of the study and were then divided into four groups based on their daily and weekly intake of pure alcohol. For reference: a 330 ml can of beer, a 150 ml glass of wine, and a 45 ml serving of spirits each contain about 14 grams of pure alcohol.

• Less than 20 g per week (about 1.5 standard drinks) — never or rarely drinkers.
• Men: 20 g per week up to 20 g per day; Women: 20 g per week up to 10 g per day — low consumption.
• Men: 20–40 g per day; Women: 10–20 g per day — moderate consumption.
• Men: more than 40 g per day; Women: more than 20 g per day — high consumption.

The average follow-up period for participants’ health status was over 13 years.

Relationship Between Consumption Level and Risks

Participants with high alcohol consumption had a 24% higher risk of death from any cause compared to those who never or rarely drank. The risk of death from cancer was 36% higher, and from cardiovascular disease — 14% higher.

At low and moderate levels of consumption, the type of drink made a difference. Spirits, beer, and cider were linked to a higher risk of death, while a similar level of wine consumption was associated with a lower risk. Moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who never or rarely drank. Even low consumption of spirits, beer, or cider was associated with a 9% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Possible Explanations for the Differences

Red wine contains polyphenols and antioxidants that may have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, wine is more often consumed with meals and is preferred by people with healthier diets and lifestyles. In contrast, spirits, beer, and cider are more commonly consumed outside of meals and are associated with less healthy eating habits and other risk factors.

Study Limitations

The analysis took into account many factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, cardiometabolic indicators, and family medical history. However, the study was observational and cannot establish a causal relationship between the type of alcohol and mortality risk. Alcohol consumption data were based on participants’ self-reports at the beginning of the study, so changes in habits over time were not considered. Moreover, UK Biobank participants are generally healthier than the average population, which may limit the applicability of the results.

Despite these limitations, the large number of participants and the long follow-up period provided strong statistical significance. The data obtained allow for a more detailed examination of the relationship between alcohol and health, taking into account both the quantity and type of alcohol consumed in relation to different causes of mortality.