Research Links Alcohol Consumption to Increased Disease and Death Risks
A new study reveals alarming connections between alcohol intake and health risks
Australia, Alcohol, Cancer, Health Risks, Research
Australia: A recent study has found that drinking more alcohol can significantly raise the risk of various cancers. For every extra seven drinks a week, the chance of alcohol-related cancer jumps by 12 percent.
This research, which tracked over 180,000 people since 2005, is the largest of its kind in Australia. It looked at how drinking habits relate to different causes of death over an 11-year period.
Researchers estimate that in just one year, alcohol was responsible for about 5.3 percent of deaths, which translates to around 9,000 lives lost in 2021 alone. Over the entire study, there were 18,193 deaths recorded.
Alcohol consumption is linked to several types of cancer, including those affecting the mouth, throat, and liver. Dr. Peter Sarich, the lead researcher, pointed out that increased drinking raises the risk of death from various causes, including digestive and cardiovascular diseases.
Interestingly, younger folks tend to drink less often, but when they do, they often go over the recommended limits. In contrast, older adults drink more regularly but usually stick closer to the guidelines.
According to the National Health Survey from 2022, young adults aged 18 to 24 are still drinking above the recommended levels. The guidelines suggest no more than 10 drinks a week and no more than four in a single day.
Recent surveys show that 77 percent of Australians aged 14 and older consume alcohol, with 41 percent drinking at least once a week. Dr. Sarich emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle alcohol consumption and its health impacts.
This strategy should include public awareness campaigns, warning labels on alcohol products, and policies to limit alcohol availability and advertising. The goal is to reduce the burden of alcohol-related cancers in Australia.