ACC 2026: Are some types of alcohol more harmful than others?

A large, population‑based analysis of 340,924 adults from the UK Biobank cohort indicates that the health effects of alcohol consumption may be shaped not only by overall intake but also by beverage type. In findings to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26), investigators report that while high alcohol consumption is associated with increased all‑cause-, cancer-, and cardiovascular mortality, risk patterns at low-to-moderate intake differ by what individuals drink.

Participants were categorized by daily or weekly alcohol intake and followed for a mean of more than 13 years. Compared with never or occasional drinkers, individuals with high alcohol consumption were 24% more likely to die from any cause, 36% more likely to die from cancer, and 14% more likely to die from heart disease. At low to moderate intake, important differences emerged by beverage type: wine consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk of death, whereas spirits, beer, or cider were associated with a significantly higher mortality risk at comparable intake levels. Looking specifically at cardiovascular mortality, moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, while even low intake of spirits, beer, or cider was associated with a 9% higher cardiovascular mortality risk, relative to never or occasional drinkers.

Source:

(2026, March 19). American College of Cardiology. The Health Impacts of Alcohol Depend on What You Drink – And How Much [Press release]. https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/03/18/20/23/The-Health-Impacts-of-Alcohol-Depend-on-What-You-Drink-And-How-Much