Experts warn not to have more than two alcoholic drinks a week

If you like snuggling up on the couch with a glass of wine watching a true crime series on TV after a stressful day at work, so be it. But the latest research into the link between alcohol consumption and cancer could change many of our habits.

A new report from the Canadian Center for Drug Use and Addiction (CCSA), which is funded by Health Canada, shows that drinking standard beverages more than twice a week can increase your risk of health problems such as breast and colon cancer. There is a nature. According to CCSA research, a “standard drink” is equivalent to drinking 341ml (0.6 pint) of 5% beer or a 142ml glass of 12% wine.

The findings mean that Canadians are now being advised to adopt an alcohol-free lifestyle or reduce their alcohol consumption to up to two drinks per week. This is in stark contrast to the country’s previous guidance of two drinks a day.

“The new guidance may come as a bit of a shock,” said Dr. Erin Hobin, a senior scientist at the Ontario Public Health Service and member of the expert panel that developed the guidelines. , that any amount of alcohol is not good for your health, and that if you drink, the less the better.”

Commenting on the correlation between alcohol and potential health problems, Dr. Hobin said: additional drink. “

What is the guidance on alcohol in the UK?

Here in the UK, the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance is to consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. This equates to about 6 pints of beer or a glass of wine.

According to Drink Aware, the chief medical officer advises that if you regularly drink 14 units a week, it’s best to drink over three days. If he drinks 1-2 times a week, he is at increased risk of long-term illness and death from accidents and injuries. If you want to drink less, a good way to achieve this is to abstain from drinking several times each week.

Learn more about mindful drinking and how to drink less.

This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions regarding your medical condition.