Even moderate alcohol consumption may increase the risk of oral cancer

New evidence shows that even moderate alcohol consumption can be dangerous. A large Indian study found that just one standard drink a day increases the risk of oral cancer by about 50%, especially when it comes to homemade or locally produced alcohol. And when combined with chewing tobacco, the risk increases so much that the combination is estimated to account for nearly two-thirds of the country’s cases.

The study, published in BMJ Global Health, compared people with buccal cancer to healthy participants. Even a small daily amount of alcohol – about 9 grams – was associated with a significantly higher risk. The strongest association was observed among those who consumed local drinks.

When alcohol was combined with smokeless tobacco, the effect was multiplied: combined exposure increased the risk by more than four times. Scientists estimate that this combination may account for 62% of oral cancer cases in India. The study included more than 1,800 diagnosed patients and about 1,900 controls. Participants described their alcohol and tobacco use habits in detail. The analysis showed that compared with non-drinkers, people who drank alcohol had a 68% higher risk; among fans of common alcoholic drinks – by 72%, and among those who preferred locally produced drinks – by 87%. Even very small doses—less than 2 grams of alcohol per day—were also associated with an increased risk.

Scientists emphasize that alcohol and chewing tobacco use often go together in India, so it is important to consider their combined impact and pay more attention to the risks associated with local alcoholic beverages.