In the modern era, particularly among individuals under 35, there has been a notable shift in attitudes toward alcohol consumption. A growing segment of the population now believes that even moderate drinking can be detrimental to one's health, a stance supported by recent research. According to a Gallup poll released on Tuesday, nearly 45% of Americans now view having one or two alcoholic drinks daily as harmful to health. This figure is the highest recorded since the survey began in 2001.
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Young adults, especially, are more likely to hold this belief, with 65% of those under 35 agreeing that drinking is bad for health. This contrasts sharply with only 37% of adults aged 35 to 54 and 39% of those aged 55 and older who share this view. Furthermore, only 8% of respondents now believe that moderate alcohol consumption is beneficial to health, marking an all-time low.
This change in perception is also reflected in drinking habits. More young adults are choosing to abstain from alcohol, partly due to the increasing availability of nonalcoholic beverages like "mocktails" and the reduced social pressure to drink. Another Gallup poll from last year highlighted that 62% of adults under 35 reported drinking alcohol, a 10% decrease compared to two decades ago. However, the survey also revealed a 10% increase in alcohol consumption among those aged 55 and older, a trend that may have adverse health implications.
A separate study further supports the growing consensus that moderate drinking offers no significant health benefits, particularly for older adults. This research challenges the once-popular belief that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly of wine, could be good for health. Instead, recent findings suggest that alcohol is a potent carcinogen and contributes to various health issues, including depression and organ problems.
Dr. Timothy Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, emphasizes that alcohol is a health hazard, contributing to about 50 different types of death. He cautions that the risks of alcohol consumption tend to be overlooked when discussing moderate drinking, asserting that less alcohol is generally better for health.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examined the health outcomes of over 135,000 adults aged 60 and older. The participants were categorized based on their alcohol consumption, with results showing increased health risks at every level of regular drinking. Even low-risk drinkers were found to have a 10% higher likelihood of dying from cancer compared to occasional drinkers.
These findings underscore the importance of public health interventions, particularly for populations with lower income levels and more health conditions. The researchers concluded that any perceived benefits of moderate drinking might be more closely related to other healthy lifestyle factors rather than the alcohol itself.
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