A study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University and published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs indicates that even low or moderate alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of death and chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Lead author Kevin Shield, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, noted that the risk escalates with increased alcohol intake. The study, titled Alcohol Intake and Health Study, found that individuals consuming an average of 14 drinks per week had a mortality risk of one in 25. In contrast, those who limited their intake to seven drinks weekly faced only minimal health risks. The research team reviewed over 7,200 scientific articles to evaluate the health impacts of alcohol and applied their findings to large national health datasets. This study provides clearer guidance than the current US dietary guidelines, which advise limiting alcohol without specifying safe consumption levels. Co-author Timothy Naimi emphasized that even what is socially considered moderate drinking is linked to a higher risk of premature death. The study dispels the myth that alcohol has protective health benefits, revealing that risks, particularly concerning cancer and chronic diseases, outweigh any potential advantages at low consumption levels.