Study: Daily Alcoholic Drink Linked to 50% Higher Oral Cancer Risk, Local Spirits Pose Greatest Danger

6 days ago7 min read

New research from India presents a stark warning about moderate alcohol consumption, finding that even one standard drink per day is associated with a roughly 50% increased risk of developing cancers of the mouth and oral cavity. The study highlights that the greatest danger comes from locally produced spirits, which may contain higher levels of carcinogens like acetaldehyde due to non-standardized production.The risk escalates dramatically when alcohol use is combined with chewing tobacco, a common practice in many regions. This combination creates a synergistic effect that the study suggests may be responsible for up to two-thirds of mouth cancer cases in the country.Acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, damages DNA and hinders cellular repair. Public health messaging now faces the complex challenge of communicating these personalized risks for behaviors deeply woven into social and cultural practices. The findings underscore that there may be no completely safe level of alcohol consumption for oral tissues, particularly when paired with other carcinogens like tobacco.

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#alcohol

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