New Study: 1 Beer Increases Cancer Risk By 50%

Many of us enjoy a glass of wine or a casual drink after work, but new research suggests that even small amounts of alcohol could increase the risk of mouth cancer. A study looked at people in India with buccal mucosa cancer — cancer in the lining of the cheeks — and compared them with similar individuals without cancer. 

What the Study Found

The study found that even around 9 grams of alcohol per day — roughly one standard drink — was associated with about a 50% higher risk of developing mouth cancer compared to non-drinkers. Risk was highest for locally brewed alcohol, and when combined with chewing tobacco, alcohol use could account for over 60% of cases in this population.

Importantly, the researchers did not identify a “safe” level of alcohol consumption for preventing mouth cancer.

Does This Mean Alcohol Directly Causes Cancer?

The study was observational, meaning it identifies associations rather than definitive cause-and-effect. Still, alcohol is classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is strong evidence it can cause cancer — including oral, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. 

In other words, while this single study doesn’t “prove” causation, it adds to a large body of evidence supporting a direct link between alcohol and cancer risk.

Lifestyle Factors and Other Risks

The researchers adjusted for tobacco use, a major risk factor for oral cancer. However, other lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, or socioeconomic status, were not fully controlled for.

This means some of the risk could relate to broader behaviors, but even after accounting for tobacco, alcohol use alone remained strongly associated with mouth cancer. 

Other studies confirm that alcohol can compound risks when combined with unhealthy behaviors, but it also independently increases cancer risk.

What This Means for Everyday Life

• Even low-level drinking carries risk: there is no guaranteed “safe” amount for mouth cancer.
• Combined risk matters: alcohol plus tobacco dramatically increases cancer risk.
• Healthy habits help, but don’t offset alcohol entirely: diet, exercise, and oral hygiene reduce overall cancer risk, but alcohol itself is a significant factor.

For people looking to reduce their risk, moderation or abstinence is recommended, especially if other risk factors are present.

Takeaway

This study reinforces what decades of research have shown: alcohol is a carcinogen, and even modest consumption can increase cancer risk, particularly for the mouth when combined with tobacco. Awareness of these risks allows individuals to make informed choices about drinking and lifestyle.