Overview
- In a longitudinal analysis of 359,717 annual check-ups from 58,943 Japanese adults (2012–2024), published Oct. 22 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, alcohol intake tracked with measurable blood pressure changes.
- People who began drinking showed higher systolic and diastolic readings, while those who cut back or quit saw declines consistent with a dose–response pattern of about 1 mmHg per additional or fewer daily drink.
- Similar trends were observed in women and men, with reported reductions after cessation of roughly 0.8/1.1 mmHg (systolic/diastolic) in women and 1.0/1.6 mmHg in men when stopping one to two drinks per day.
- Beer, wine, and spirits produced comparable effects on blood pressure, indicating that alcohol quantity rather than beverage type drove the association.
- Experts said the findings challenge assumptions about the safety of low-level drinking and align with 2025 ACC/AHA guidance to limit alcohol, while noting the study’s observational design, self-reported intake, and predominantly urban Japanese cohort limit causal claims and generalizability.