Study of 340,924 Links Wine to Lower Mortality as Beer, Spirits Raise Death Risk

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 13

Data from 340,924 UK Biobank participants followed for more than 13 years linked wine with lower mortality, while beer, cider and spirits were associated with higher death risk.
High alcohol intake—above 40 grams a day for men and 20 grams for women—was tied to a 24% higher all-cause death risk, plus 36% higher cancer mortality and 14% higher cardiovascular mortality.
At lower or moderate intake, beverage type appeared to matter: moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower cardiovascular death risk, while low beer, cider or spirits intake was linked to a 9% higher risk.
Researchers said compounds in wine such as polyphenols could help explain the association, but addiction specialist Jessica Steinman warned the findings should not be generalized to individuals, especially people with substance-use problems.
Because the study was observational and relied on baseline self-reported drinking, it could not prove cause and effect; the authors also said healthier lifestyles among wine drinkers may have influenced the results.