Several years ago, researchers studied the effects of alcoholic drinks on humans and concluded that one or two drinks a day could reduce the odds of heart attacks. The alcoholic drinks industry jumped on these studies. It pushed to convince the public that alcohol in moderation is actually healthy in moderation for adults and should be included as part of a healthy diet. Because of this research, many came to view alcohol as a part of a healthy diet.

Even some Adventists began to include alcohol in their diet. Research conducted in 2012, showed that about 30 percent of Adventist university students had tried at least one alcoholic drink within the previous year; almost 19 percent of the same audience had used alcohol in the previous month, and 10 percent drank alcohol in the two weeks prior to the data being recorded.

However, further research has shown that any benefit of using alcohol is by far outweighed by health consequences from using alcohol. Alcohol is a poison that our bodies are not designed to process. The majority of deaths attributed to alcohol use occur in those ages 15 to 49 years. In fact, alcohol use is the primary cause of premature death and disability around the world. The younger a person is when they begin drinking, the greater the consequences will be over time. Beginning alcohol use in the teenage years significantly increases the chances of early death from heart problems, strokes, aneurysms,[1] and various cancers, including breast cancer, mouth and digestive system cancers. In addition, accidents among youth, such as car crashes, are leading causes of death among 15– to 20-year-olds, with about one quarter of these due to alcohol impairment.

No Safe Level–The most recent global research has found that there is no safe level of alcohol use. Even one-third of an ounce (one swallow) of alcohol has a measurable impact on health and length of life. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Using alcohol is unsafe at all levels. It is not life-affirming, and will not lead to a happier, more productive life. Sign the Youth Alive pledge and choose to abstain from alcohol.

References: Haegerich, T.M. (2016).

The Predictive Influence of Youth Assets on Drinking and Driving Behaviors in Adolescence and Young Adulthood. Journal of Primary Prevention. 37:231–245.https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10935-016-0418-7.pdfKlatsky, A.L. (1999).

Moderate Drinking and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease. Alcohol Research and Health. 23:15-24.https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh23-1/15-24.pdfLandless, P.N. ; McBride, D.C. (April, 2018)

No Safe Level of Alcohol Use. Adventist Review.https://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story6043-there-is-no-safe-level-of-alcohol-use.

National Institute of Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism: Alcohol Facts & Statistics (June 2021).https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics#:~:text=Alcohol%20and%20the%20Human%20Body,and%2039.0%20percent%20involved%20alcohol.Rumgay H,et al., (2021).

Global Burden of Cancer in 202 0Attributable to Alcohol Consumption: A Population-Based Study. Lancet Oncology.22(8):1071-1080.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(21)00279-5/fulltextWood, A.M.(2018).

Risk Thresholds for Alcohol Consumption: Combined Analysis of Individual-Participant Data for 599912 Current drinkers in 83 Prospective Studies. Lancet 391:1513-1523.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30134-X/fulltext