Alcoholic Beverages Aren’t That Good For You As You May Have Thought

We've heard from various studies that drinking a glass of wine a day, or any alcoholic beverage in moderation, can lower risks of serious illness such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even gallstones.

But a new study from the UK's University of Cambridge is contradicting those findings.

The paper, published in The Lancet, suggests that weekly drinking of more than five pints of beer, five glasses of wine, or five drinks with a maximum of 100 grams of pure alcohol, was linked with a lower life expectancy.

The study's authors found drinking any more than what was suggested increases the risk of stroke, fatal aneurysm, heart failure and even death.

The researchers suggest having 10 to 18 drinks each week lessens life expectancy by between one to two years, and 18 drinks or more shortens life expectancy from four to five years.

Also Read: Drinking just one or two alcoholic drinks per day may cause liver disease

"If you already drink alcohol, drinking less may help you live longer and lower your risk of several cardiovascular conditions," said Dr. Angela Wood, from the University of Cambridge and lead author of the study in a University press release. VOA