Lisbon, Oct. 23, 2025 (Lusa) - The Association of Wines and Spirits of Portugal (ACIBEV) disputes the recent "alarmist news" encouraging consumers to stop drinking wine, associating it with various types of cancer, even when consumed in moderation.
In a statement, ACIBEV refers to scientific studies that prove that "moderate wine consumption is compatible with a healthy lifestyle".
"Without considering the totality of the scientific evidence available, the authors of such news stories argue that not consuming any alcoholic drink, especially wine, is the best option for consumers' health," the association said in the statement.
ACIBEV considers the articles in question to be "scientifically questionable" because they "ignore the different patterns of consumption and the difference between absolute risk and relative risk, misleading the consumer".
Absolute risk, according to the association, represents "the real probability" of something happening, while relative risk compares "the risk between two groups".
In the studies cited by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which are said to have served as the basis for such news, it is "the relative risk of developing a cancerous disease that is highlighted - in other words, the comparison between those who consume alcohol and those who don't".
However, "the absolute risk, i.e. the real probability of the event occurring, is often not taken into account, which can give the wrong impression that the danger is greater than it actually is," the statement said.
On the other hand, the results of various epidemiological studies, cited in the ACIBEV statement, indicate "a J-shaped curve" between light to moderate alcohol consumption and the general risk of cancer, which translates into a risk of developing the disease that is 9% lower for moderate drinkers (<12.5 g of alcohol/day) than for teetotalers.
The same studies indicate that this risk is "increased" for heavy drinkers.
ACIBEV emphasises that cancer "is a multifactorial disease", that the risk of developing pathology "involves several factors" and that alcohol-related pathologies "also occur in those who have never consumed an alcoholic beverage".
Portugal, despite being one of the countries with the highest per capita consumption of wine, does not have "a higher incidence of cancer". And countries with low consumption of alcoholic beverages, or where consumption is banned, "are not free from the cancers associated with their consumption", the statement added.
For ACIBEV's executive director, Ana Isabel Alves, "although scientific evidence shows that excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of cancer, numerous studies also show that drinking wine in moderation with a meal is compatible with a healthy lifestyle" and with the Mediterranean Diet recognised by the WHO.
ACIBEV represents a significant share of the sector's turnover in the production, distribution, and trade of wine and spirits. Member companies have an annual turnover of more than €814 million, 60% of which is through exports.
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