Drinkers are advised to have two to three alcohol-free days every week to stay healthy and give their livers a rest.
United Kingdom's Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies is expected to include the recommendation in a new revised health guideline. Davies will also lower men's maximum alcohol intake to just three units - the equivalent of one and a half pints of beer - making it in the same level as women's.
Current guidelines urge men not to drink more than three to four units per day (no more than a pint and a half of beer, cider, or lager) or around 21 units per week. Women, on the other hand, are now allowed more than two to three units a day (equivalent to a 175ml glass of wine) or around 14 units per week. One unit is approximately 10 ml of pure alcohol.
Experts reiterated that there is no sense in having separate limits for men and women since people react to alcohol differently regardless of sex. The guidelines will shed light on the dangers of alcohol and stress that there is no safe limit as small amounts may still increase the risk of certain diseases.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Health, the report on the revised guidelines will be announced soon, but no specific date was mentioned.
"The Chief Medical Officer, with advice from a group of independent experts, has reviewed current drinking guidelines. The proposals will be published in the New Year," DOH spokesperson said. The new guidelines will help people embark on their New Year's resolutions of limiting alcohol intake.
Released in 1987, the current guidelines were dubbed as too lenient as it gives the public the license to drink every day. The recommendations were altered in 1995 after evidence came forward showing how even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk for cancer and other illnesses. The limit was then put at a maximum of four units for men and three units for women.
Britain is one of the few countries that do not tell pregnant women to stay away from alcohol during pregnancy completely.
Studies Show That Alcohol Intake Increases The Risk Of Diseases
In a study published in the journal Stroke, researchers found that heavy drinking was associated with stroke. They found that people who heavily consume alcohol in their 50s and 60s tend to suffer strokes earlier than non-drinkers or light drinkers. Too much alcohol intake can increase stroke risk as much as hypertension or diabetes.
Studies have also shown the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. In a study published in BMJ, light to moderate drinking is tied to a minimally increased risk of overall cancer. They specifically found that for men who have never smoked, the risk of alcohol cancers does not increase for light to moderate drinking (around two drinks per day). For nonsmoking women, on the other hand, the risk of alcohol-related cancers like breast cancer spikes even with just one alcoholic drink per day.
Aside from cancers and stroke, alcohol consumption may also increase the risk of liver disease, cirrhosis, dementia, cardiovascular problems, seizures and gout. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid alcohol during pregnancy to prevent the occurrence of complications that may harm the unborn baby.
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