Health

No significant health benefits from drinking up to three units of alcohol a day

In recent years, research about the supposed health benefits of moderate alcohol has improved significantly, with recent meta-analyses showing no benefit. This blog explains the...

Public awareness of the relationship between alcohol use and breast cancer risk

7% of breast cancer cases are attributable to alcohol consumption, yet public awareness of the link is very low. This study looked at how awareness...

At what cost? The economic impact of alcohol-related cancer deaths

Around €4.6 billion was lost due to deaths from cancer caused by drinking alcohol in 31 European countries in 2018. Dr Rumgay explains her study's...

Drinking Alone Predicts Future Alcohol Problems

Drinking alone during adolescence and young adulthood is a significant risk factor for alcohol use disorder later in life, a study shows. It suggest that...

How Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Suicide Risk – and How Can it Be Managed?

There is a clear link between alcohol and suicide. Here Jason Isaacs explains the key risk factors that increase a person’s likelihood of suicide, and...

Should we rethink how we drink? Canada’s new drinking guidance vs. the UK’s

How do the new Canadian drinking guidelines compare to the UK’s guidelines? Dr Adam Sherk explains Canada's changes, as well as discussing why they have...

“The best me probably would be better without alcohol”: What women told us about the sober curious movement

The sober curious movement could offer an opportunity for public health authorities to develop new campaigns and interventions aimed at supporting women to drink less....

Changing the Conversation About Alcohol: A New Partnership Will Leverage Policy to Tackle Alcohol-Related Harms

RESET Alcohol intends to reduce alcohol-related harms in hard-hit countries through policy change. Led by Vital Strategies, it brings together governments, civil society, research organizations,...

How does a healthy diet and not drinking alcohol affect your risk of memory decline?

The decade-long study looked at how healthy lifestyle factors affect memory decline, including levels of alcohol consumption.

What happened with UK alcohol consumption and harm in 2022?

What were the trends in alcohol consumption and harm in the UK in 2022, and how might this affect future harm?

With evidence on alcohol policies being stronger than ever, now is the time for governments to act

Dr Peter Rice, IAS's new chair, looks at the progress in alcohol policy and research this year, and the effect MUP has had in reducing...

Drink? The Good, the Bad and the Moderate

Professor David Nutt explains some of the pharmacological effects of alcohol and gives a few tips on why and how to engage in more mindful...

The case for repoliticising alcohol use and harms

Journalist and PhD candidate James Wilt discusses how the profit seeking of the alcohol industry has led to a public health crisis. Wilt explains how...

Think Before You Drink: How can we improve alcohol health warning labels?

What is the problem with current alcohol labelling and how could labels be improved to help reduce harm? A comprehensive look at the research surrounding...

Cost of hidden harm: alcohol’s harm to others

The economic cost of alcohol's harm to others is rarely looked at. In this new study, researchers quantified this cost in Australia - including costs...

The COVID hangover: more urgency is needed to tackle alcohol harm as an indirect effect of the pandemic

Changes in drinking patterns during the pandemic are likely to lead to significant increases in alcohol-related disease cases and subsequent death. Here Dr Sadie Boniface...

Realising our rights: How to protect people from alcohol marketing

Alcohol Focus Scotland's comprehensive marketing report looks at what restrictions should be brought in to help protect the rights and health of people at risk...

Should we have lower drinking guidelines for younger people?

Colin Angus looks at the problems with a new study that suggests different drinking guidelines for different age groups.

What are the smoking behaviours of adults at risk of alcohol dependence in England?

There is a strong shared association between smoking and drinking. A new study looked at smoking prevalence and attempts to stop among people with alcohol...

Contents unknown: what alcohol labels aren’t telling us

The only information required on alcohol labels is container size, ABV and common allergens. Non-alcoholic drinks need far more information. The alcohol industry claims that...