Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe to Drink?

Experts around the world agree: When it comes to alcohol, there’s no “safe” amount to drink. 

You may have heard that alcohol, especially red wine, can be good for your health. But, based on new research, this may not be correct. The hard truth is: When it comes to your health, alcohol definitely does more harm than good. This is because alcohol directlycauses cancer, just like smoking, asbestos, and radiation. 

But even though the healthiest choice is to skip booze completely, over millions of adults worldwide drink alcohol. If you are one of them, you may be wondering: Can I enjoy an occasional adult beverage with minimal health risks?

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Is drinking any amount of alcohol bad for your health?

Yes, even small amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of cancer, other health problems, and death. And the more you drink, the greater your risk. 

Here’s what the experts have to say about the risks of alcohol consumption:

• World Health Organization: “It doesn’t matter how much you drink — the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage.”  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Even drinking within the recommended limits may increase the overall risk of death from various causes.”

• European Code Against Cancer: “There is no level of alcohol consumption that is safe.”

• American Heart Association: “If you don’t drink already, don’t start. … No research has proved a cause-and-effect link between drinking alcohol and better heart health.”

• National Health Service: “There’s no safe drinking level.”

• World Cancer Research Fund: “Even small amounts of alcoholic drinks can increase the risk of several cancers.”

• American Cancer Society: “It is best not to drink alcohol.”

• American Institute for Cancer Research: “There is no ‘safe’ amount of alcohol that does not increase risk of at least some cancers. Increased risk of breast and esophageal cancers starts at less than one drink per day.”

What are the risks associated with drinking?

Alcohol is linked to many health problems, including: 

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• High blood pressure

• Liver disease

• Pancreas disorders

• Cancer

• Immune system problems

• Dementia

• High blood sugar

• Death

And the more — and more often — you drink, the greater the risks. The chart below outlines how the amount of alcohol you drink increases your risks, according to the 2023 Health Canada guidelines.

The link between alcohol and cancer

Alcohol is a carcinogen, a substance proven to cause cancer, like tobacco or asbestos. There’s clear proof that alcohol causes:

• Mouth and throat cancer

• Esophageal cancer

• Colorectal cancer

• Liver cancer

• Breast cancer

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How does alcohol cause cancer?

There are many ways that alcohol causes cancer: 

• DNA damage: Wine, beer, and spirits contain a type of alcohol called ethanol. In your body, ethanol becomes a compound called acetaldehyde. Both of these substances can damage your DNA and make it hard for cells to repair themselves — making it easier for cancer to grow. 

• Hormones: Alcohol can affect certain hormones, like estrogen. Higher levels of some of these hormones can influence cancer growth.

• Nutrients: Alcohol makes it harder for your body to absorb cancer-fighting nutrients, like vitamins A, C, D, and folate. 

Does the type of alcohol you drink matter?

No, according to the CDC, what matters most is the amount of alcohol you consume — not the type. Beer or wine is no “safer” than hard liquor. 

Are there any health benefits associated with alcohol?

In the past, research has suggested that wine may have health benefits. But, unfortunately, newer evidence doesn’t support these claims.

The truth is: Even if there are some health benefits from alcohol, they don’t measure up to the risks. Drinking any amount of alcohol does more harm than good. 

What is the safest amount of alcohol to drink?

There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink. If you do drink alcohol, the best way to lower the risks is to drink as little as possible. This means staying at or under the recommended limits. 

In the U.S., the recommended limit for alcohol consumption is:

• 1 standard drink or less per day for women

• 2 standard drinks or less per day for men

In Canada, the recommended limit is even lower:

• 2 standard drinks or less per week

Keep in mind that consuming any of these limited amounts is not risk-free. The only risk-free option is to not drink any alcohol at all.  

What counts as one standard drink? 

A standard drink may be smaller than you think. In the U.S. and Canada, one standard drink is:

• 12 oz of regular beer or cider (5% alcohol)

• 5 oz of wine (12% alcohol)

• 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor (40% alcohol)

Why are some recommended alcohol limits different for women and men?

Women and men metabolize (break down) alcohol differently. 

Women absorb alcohol more easily and break it down more slowly. This means women can feel the effects of alcohol more strongly. And it can also make women more vulnerable to the health risks of alcohol. 

Compared with men who drink alcohol, women who drink are more likely to develop:

• Liver disease

• Brain damage

• Heart problems

Women also have a much higher risk of breast cancer than men in general. Alcohol use increases the risk for breast cancer, even if you drink less than the recommended limit. 

Are there some people who should not drink alcohol at all?

Yes, some people should not drink alcohol at all. According to the National Institutes of Health, this includes anyone who:

• Is pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• Is under 21

• Has certain health conditions

• Takes certain over-the-counter or prescription medications

• Plans to drive, operate machinery, or engage in other high-skill activity

• Is recovering from an alcohol use disorder

• Cannot control the amount they drink

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to learn about resources in your area.