Effects of moderate alcohol consumption on health

Evidence from epidemiologic studies suggests that moderate alcohol consumption (i.e. up to 30 or 15g per day for men and women, respectively) reduces cardiovascular mortality By contrast clinical and case control studies show that alcohol intake above 30 and 20g/day, respectively, increases the risk of various head and neck cancers as well as several gastroenterological diseases. Considering the possible health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption one has to take into account possible hazards of problematic drinking. There is a continuous transition from moderate to problematic drinking, At present one cannot recommend moderate drinking as health promoting.