The study published in The Lancet suggested that adults aged 40 and older without underlying health conditions can gain some benefits from small alcohol consumption (between one and two standard drinks per day), including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. On the other hand, in young adults aged between 15-39, drinking alcohol does not provide any health benefits and in contrast, this may lead to several presents many health risks.

Senior author of the study, Dr. Emmanuela Gakidou, Professor, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, US, stated "Our message is simple: young people should not drink, but older people may benefit from drinking small amounts”. In the study, the researchers observed the link between the risk of alcohol consumption and 22 health outcomes, including injuries, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. They evaluate the relationship, they collected data for 204 countries and territories using 2020 Global Burden of Disease data for males and females between the age of 15-95 years from 1990 to 2020. 

Based on the data analyzed, the researcher’s recommended 0.136 standard drinks per day for people aged 15-39 before risking the loss of their health. The analysis also suggested that for adults aged 40 and older without any underlying health conditions, drinking a small amount of alcohol may provide some benefits, such as reducing the risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. 

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/young-people-at-higher-health-risk-from-alcohol-than-older-adults-study-101657863594308.html )