David PerlmutterPresident,, Perlmutter Health Center · Board-Certified Neurologist | Functional Medicine Pioneer | #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author | International Speaker | Host of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

Alcohol Is a Top 3 Cancer Risk Factor

20 Mar 2026 · 1 min

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1:13

In this brief video, Dr. David Perlmutter explains that alcohol consumption is a major lifestyle risk factor for cancer, ranking third after obesity and smoking. He cites recent statistics indicating that roughly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year in the United States are directly attributable to alcohol. Perlmutter reviews how his own guidance on alcohol intake has shifted over time—from earlier suggestions that modest wine consumption might lower dementia risk to a current stance that less alcohol is better, especially for individuals with additional risk factors such as smoking, obesity, strong family history of cancer, or a personal history of cancer. While occasional wine is not prohibited, he emphasizes minimizing intake for those at higher risk.

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Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer, and it turns out it's a pretty dramatic risk. It may in fact be the 3rd highest risk factor, lifestyle risk factor, for the development of cancer, right behind obesity and smoking. And in fact, the latest statistics show that about 100,000 cases of cancer each year and 20,000 deaths may be directly contributed to the consumption of alcohol. Now, how does this play in terms of my recommendations over the years with respect to alcohol consumption? And as you know, my recommendations have been becoming lower and lower. There was a time when we talked about the fact that 1 glass of wine per day for women, 2 glasses of wine per day for men, was associated with a decreased risk of dementia. I think all in all, when you look at all the risks that are associated with alcohol consumption, that less is better. Now, you know, does that mean you can't have a glass of wine from time to time? It does not. But indeed, if you look at other risk factors that you may have, Like if you're a smoker or you're obese or there's a strong family history or you've had cancer in the past, then the recommendation really is to do your very best to reduce your consumption.