Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 21: There is no completely risk-free amount of alcohol consumption, according to cardiovascular surgeon Dr Jeremy London, who has highlighted the potential health risks associated with drinking beer, wine and liquor.

In a video shared on Instagram, London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, explained how alcohol is processed in the body and why even moderate consumption may carry certain health risks. He also questioned the long-held belief that drinking in moderation can benefit overall health.

London explained that the liver converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can damage DNA and interfere with the body's ability to repair cellular damage. Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of several cancers and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

According to London, the risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Research has not established a completely risk-free level for certain cancers, including breast and oesophageal cancer.

He also addressed earlier studies suggesting that moderate drinkers tend to live longer than people who abstain from alcohol. London said some of these findings may have been influenced by the inclusion of former drinkers who stopped consuming alcohol because of existing health problems in the non-drinking category.

This could have made non-drinkers appear less healthy and moderate drinking seem more beneficial than it actually was. Differences in income, education and overall health between the groups may also have influenced the findings.

London further referred to genetic studies examining how inherited differences affect alcohol processing. He said these studies have challenged the idea that alcohol consumption provides a protective health benefit, with risks generally increasing as consumption rises.

Emphasising that his message was intended to inform rather than judge personal choices, London said reducing alcohol consumption could lower associated health risks.

“From a health standpoint, less carries less risk than more, and none carries the least risk,” he said.

While the level of risk varies depending on the amount consumed and individual factors, the surgeon's central message is that no amount of alcohol has been established as completely risk-free. Avoiding alcohol carries the lowest alcohol-related health risk.