
At 40 years of age, those who had an intake of between seven and 14 drinks per week had a six-month-lower estimated life expectancy than those who drank fewer than seven.
There is still a small benefit to drinking, which has been much flagged in the past.
This likelihood of an early death increases the more alcohol is consumed, the Cambridge-led researchers said.
The study included data from 600,000 drinkers in 19 countries.
The findings support recently lowered guidelines in the United Kingdom, which suggest there is no safe level and recommend that both men and women's drinking should not exceed 14 units a week.
About half of those studied reported drinking more than 12.5 units a week - roughly five pints or medium glasses of wine - while nearly one in ten (8.5 per cent) consumed more than triple that amount. You could think of that as about an hour per day, or just under half an hour per extra drink. So it's as if each unit above guidelines is taking, on average, about 15 minutes of life, about the same as a cigarette.
In contrast, drinking more was associated with a lower risk of non-fatal heart attacks.
'Of course it's up to individuals whether they think this is worthwhile'.
In fact, an worldwide study by the Lancet medical journal found that drinking alcohol multiple times a week may shorten your lifespan.
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, a standard drink in the U.S.is a 12 fl oz. can of regular (5 percent alcohol) beer, a 5 fl oz. glass of 12 percent wine or a 1.5 fl oz. shot of a 40-percent distilled spirit like vodka or whiskey.
One resident of Shelton, commented: "I would say it's fairly accurate, but it's probably not going to affect my drinking habits for the next five years whilst I'm still at University".
Tim Chico, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Sheffield, told The Guardian he wouldn't be surprised if the heaviest drinkers lost as many years of life as smokers.
The good news is we don't have to stop drinking.
In spite of the massive number of participants, the study was limited in a number of ways.
Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said the study seemed to "broadly reinforce" Government guidelines.
Around half of the almost 600,000 participants said they consumed the equivalent of more than of seven alcoholic drinks per week, while almost 10 percent reported drinking more than 25.
In a commentary in the Lancet, Profs Jason Connor and Wayne Hall from the University of Queensland Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research in Australia, anticipated that the suggestion of lowering recommended drinking limits will come up against opposition. "Nonetheless, the findings ought to be widely disseminated and they should provoke informed public and professional debate".
Related News:
-
US 'Acted Appropriately' with Syria Strikes
It had been sighted taking off from a base in Syria and was intercepted after it crossed into Israeli airspace, the IDF said. Johnson said: "The world is united in its disgust for any use of chemical weapons, but especially against civilians".Egypt's armed forces foil attack, kill 14 terrorists
Under Egypt's constitution, the three-month state of emergency can only be renewed once, but the president can subsequently reinstate it.Winnie Mandela Bore the Scars of Battle, Helped Heal a Nation
American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson is expected to attend, as are the presidents of Namibia and the Republic of Congo. Crowds packed Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg's Soweto township for the ceremony which follows a private service at her home. -
Rafa Benitez issues challenge to his Newcastle players
Rafa Benitez says he is happy for Chelsea loanee Kenedy's valuation to soar as it means he will be performing well for Newcastle . His last five games have seen the England worldwide score five goals and he can be backed at [3.3] to find the net.Sensational Manika Batra wins historic singles gold in TT
India's women's hockey team turned in an embarrassing performance in the bronze medal round against England and was thrashed 6-0. Ho and Lyne had won the first two games 15-13, 11-7 before the Indian duo kept the contest alive by winning the third game 11-8.Moto G6 Play images posted on Instagram with specs
Besides the generic Moto G6 , Lenovo-owned Motorola will also be unveiling low-end Moto G6 Play and a high-end Moto G6 Plus . A recent online listing pegs the G6 at $250 (approx Rs 16,300), while the G6 Play may be priced at $200 (approx Rs 13,000). -
France orders military action in Syria with US, Britain
It said three civilians were wounded in the Homs attacks but did not give a toll for Damascus or mention any combatant casualties. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis did not say whether he believed the strikes would deter Assad from using chemical weapons again.Putin's Syria warning to Trump
The statement signaled Moscow's readiness to protect its ally even if it entails a direct clash with the U.S. American president Donald Trump has warned that an attack is likely on Syria sooner or later.US Launches Attacks On Syria
Trump has confused British opinion by first tweeting, "Get ready, Russia , because they will be coming, nice and new and "smart". President Trump ordered precision missile strikes Friday evening on Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack . -
"You're Lucky To Be Alive": Gangster Says He Shot Singer Parmesh Verma
The auto then stopped in front of Mr Verma's vehicle near Sector 74 in Mohali , which is when the assailants shot at the singer. Dhalan uploaded a picture on Facebook of him holding a gun with another picture of Parmish Verma with a cross drawn on it.Thunder statement on play-by-play voice Brian Davis' in-game comments
It is yet to be determined if Davis, who is a full-time employee of the Thunder, will address his comments on a future broadcast. Fox Sports Oklahoma play-by-play guy Brian Davis said he accepted his one-game suspension for his "insensitive" comments.FBI raid sought information on taxi owners linked to Trump's lawyer
Agents, they wrote, had already searched multiple email accounts maintained by Cohen after securing an earlier search warrant. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who for almost a year has been looking into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow.