Study: Alcohol Consumption Now Linked to More Than 60 Diseases
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
Jake Newby is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue...
Key Takeaways
- A new study links alcohol to 62 medical conditions, up from 48 conditions previously tied to alcohol under the ICD-10.
- The expanded list includes liver disease, pancreatis, neurological disorders, digestive disorders and multiple cancers.
- Despite evidence to the contrary, 37% of U.S. adults do not understand there is a correlation between cancer risk and drinking.
- For people looking to improve their health, cutting back on alcohol – even modestly – may help lower the risk of long-term complications.
Most of us know that alcohol consumption is linked to multiple health problems, but continued research shows we may not know the full scope of the problem. A major new review suggests alcohol affects far more of the body than many people realize.
A 2026 study published in the Society for the Study of Addiction links alcohol to 62 medical conditions under the World Health Organization’s most recent International Classification of Diseases system (ICD-11). That’s up from 48 conditions previously tied to alcohol under ICD-10, according to the review.
The expanded list includes liver disease, pancreatis, neurological disorders, digestive disorders and multiple cancers. Researchers involved in the review said the expanded list is not necessarily about alcohol suddenly becoming more dangerous. Instead, it reflects improved medical knowledge and stronger evidence linking alcohol to disease.
Alcohol is toxic to more than just the liver
Many people still think the biggest risks associated with alcohol revolve around liver damage or are behavioral and related to addiction. But as the research grows, so does the list of physical problems linked to alcohol.
This new study indicates alcohol affects nearly every organ system in the body. It shows alcohol use can contribute to chronic disease even at lower levels of consumption. Health experts increasingly emphasize that less alcohol is better for long-term health.
Alcohol travels through the bloodstream and affects the brain, heart, digestive system and immune system. Over time, drinking can increase inflammation, damage tissues and diminish the body’s ability to repair itself.
Cancer risk is one of the most overlooked concerns related to alcohol consumption
One of the biggest public health concerns surrounding alcohol is its connection to cancer — something many Americans still do not fully recognize.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that drinking alcohol increases the risk of several cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and breast. Even moderate drinking can increase cancer risk.
The Society for the Study of Addiction study highlighted the following cancers, which it stated show “stable epidemiological associations” with alcohol and may eventually be formally recognized as causally linked:
- Stomach cancer
- Biliary tract cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Researchers believe alcohol can raise cancer risk in several ways. It can damage DNA, increase inflammation, alter hormone levels and make it easier for the body to absorb other carcinogens.
Despite the evidence, awareness remains surprisingly low – a 2025 study published in JAMA Oncology revealed that 37% of U.S. adults do not understand there is a correlation between cancer risk and drinking, and 1% believed that drinking decreased cancer risk.
Why moderating or eliminating alcohol is the way to go
You’ve probably heard one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men is the maximum amount of alcohol you should drink in one day. Still, experts increasingly stress there is no “risk-free” level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer.
For people looking to improve their health, cutting back on alcohol – even modestly – may help lower the risk of long-term complications. And for heavy drinkers, experts recommend talking with a healthcare provider.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network can help members find an in-network mental health professional by calling behavioral health access lines listed below:
PPO: Behavioral Health Access Line | 1-800-762-2382
A free and confidential resource that’s just a call away when you need immediate support. Behavioral health professionals answer, 24/7.
HMO: Behavioral Health Access Line | 1-800-482-5982
Connect with a behavioral health clinician if you need help finding a mental health or substance use provider.
Behavioral health clinicians are available for routine assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For urgent concerns after hours, clinicians are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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