According to two new studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week, the answer appears to be yes.
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States.
While the evidence looks stronger than ever that drinking alcohol in moderation may be associated with cardiovascular health benefits, there are associated risks as well. Even moderate intakes of alcohol appear to increase the risks of certain types of cancer, especially breast3 and colorectal4 cancers. Alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of high blood pressure5 and liver disease. Drinking has also been directly associated with motor vehicle accidents. Alcohol should be avoided by people with liver disease or with a history of alcoholism.