Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health

By CARLA K. JOHNSON
AP Medical Writer

Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart but better research methods have thrown cold water on that idea. A growing number of public health experts say if you choose to drink alcohol, you should drink as little as possible. Guidelines vary from country to country but the overall trend is toward drinking less. The reevaluation of alcohol’s perceived benefits comes as researchers identify shortcomings of prior studies. There’s also a growing awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer.