There is an expansive body of literature on the relationship between alcohol use and health. Investigators have examined the impact of alcohol use on health conditions such as bodyweight, blood pressure, and stroke, as well as diseases including diabetes and multiple types of cancer (Foster and Marriott 2006). The association between alcohol use and cardiovascular health has been researched extensively, with many studies finding evidence of a J-shaped curve (Costanzo, Di Castelnuovo, Donati et al. 2010): low-level drinkers, defined as drinking 1–2 drinks per day, have a reduced risk for cardiovascular mortality compared to either abstainers or heavier drinkers.
