It’s well known that alcohol isn’t good for us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking alcohol can cause cancer, high blood pressure, digestive problems, and weakened immune systems. Red wine may have benefits (like heart health), but the negatives outweigh the positives.
Specifically for young people who fall into this category, a new study published in Neurology suggests drinking increases stroke risk. The study followed 1.5 million people in their 20s and 30s for roughly six years using data from a Korean health database.
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For two years of the study, moderate and heavy drinkers were 19% more likely to have a stroke than those who did not drink or were considered light drinkers. A moderate to heavy drinker’s risk rises to 22% after three years.
By four years, the stroke risk had risen to 23%. Alcohol consumption was associated with a higher risk of hemorrhagic strokes in young people. A standard drink in the U.S. has about 14 grams of alcohol. This study defines moderate and heavy drinking as 105 grams or more alcohol per week.
The risk of strokes among young people is rising, but older people are more likely to suffer strokes. The study found 3,153 strokes in 1.5 million young people. Accordingly, moderate and heavy drinkers consume a little more than one drink per day (which, by society’s standard, doesn’t seem like much).
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Participant questionnaires were used to measure drinking habits. Participants might self-report incorrectly if they can’t remember how much they drank. It’s also unclear if these results apply to other populations since this study only included Koreans.
Reduce rather than stop consumption. Replace one drink at happy hour with a mocktail or water, or limit your drinking days. Exercise is also a stress reliever, boosts your mental health, and can also fill your time.