Moderate alcohol consumption: between science and media perceptions

Post on: 25.02.2025

The debate on the effects of moderate alcohol consumption is often characterized by overinterpretations of scientific studies. Christian Wolfrum, professor of food science at the ETH Zurich (ETH), argues that moderate consumption should not be demonized, highlighting the difficulties in assessing the real effects of alcohol.

The challenges of nutrition research

According to Professor Wolfrum, Nutritional studies have numerous biases that make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Unlike pharmaceutical research, in which the effects of a preparation can be precisely tested, alcohol studies often rely on cohort analyses that can be influenced by significant biases.

An example cited by the expert is the so-called "chocolate and Nobel Prize effect": in one statistic it can be observed that nations with a high consumption of chocolate also have a higher number of Nobel Prizes, but this does not imply a causal relationship.

Similarly, the link between alcohol consumption and health benefits is complex and cannot be simplified into absolute statements.

Data biases and methodological difficulties

Dietary studies often rely on subjective statements by people, which can lead to significant inaccuracies. In the case of alcohol, "overreporting" or "underreporting" frequently occurs due to social pressures or a desire to look better.

In addition, comparison groups between moderate and non-moderate drinkers might include individuals who have had alcohol-related health problems in the past, skewing the final results.

Meta-analyses and scientific conclusions

A The 2022 meta-analysis examined the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on 140 conditions, highlighting benefits on 49 diseases and negative effects on 25, including stroke and dementia. However, there are no experimental studies that can confirm with certainty the causality of such effects.

In December 2024, the American National Academy of Sciences published research on behalf of the US Congress, according to which moderate consumption is associated with a slight reduction in overall mortality.

The positive effect observed could derive not only from alcohol itself, but also by social and psychological factors, such as greater relaxation and more frequent social interactions.

Alcohol: risk and benefit

Wolfrum points out that any substance, if consumed in large quantities, can be toxic, including vitamins and minerals. Alcohol, if taken in excess, is certainly harmful and can lead to addiction. However, there is no definitive evidence that moderate consumption is harmful to health.

While acknowledging the risks of addiction, the professor says there are no reasons to condemn every single glass of wine. "I wouldn't recommend drinking daily for health reasons, but I don't agree with those who say that every glass is already too much," Wolfrum says.

The discussion about alcohol is similar to that about meat: for a time, the media presented meat consumption as a leading cause of death. only to then correct the shot in the light of new studies. The same is happening with alcohol, whose moderate consumption is still the subject of scientific debate.

Conclusion

Alcohol consumption remains a complex and still open topic from a scientific point of view. Current evidence suggests that, when taken in moderation, it may not be as harmful as often described in the media.

However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects on overall health and well-being.