Alcohol: Is Any Amount Safe for Health?

Alcohol use is common. In 2019–2020, 72% of U.S. adults reported they consumed 1 or more drinks per week, and alcohol consumption increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (1, 2). Unhealthy alcohol use has been defined as the consumption of alcohol at a level that has caused or has the potential to cause adverse physical, psychological, or social consequences (3). But there has been controversy over the level of alcohol consumption that is unhealthy. Should any amount of alcohol be considered safe for health? What about evidence showing associations between modest alcohol consumption and reduced risk for cardiometabolic disease?