New alcohol guidelines show increased risk of cancer New guidelines for alcohol consumption, produced by the UK Chief Medical Officers, warn that drinking any level of alcohol increases the risk of a range of cancers. This is supported by a new review from the Committee on Carcinogenicity (CoC) on alcohol and cancer risk .
This review also found that the benefits of alcohol for heart health only apply for women aged 55 and over. The greatest benefit is seen when these women limit their intake to around 5 units a week, the equivalent of around 2 standard glasses of wine. The group concluded that there is no justification for drinking for health reasons.
These issues prompted changes to alcohol guidelines for men. Men should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol each week, the same level as for women. This equals 6 pints of average strength beer a week, which would mean a low risk of illnesses such as liver disease or cancer. The previous guidelines were 21 units for men and 14 units for women per week.
The guidelines for pregnant women have also been updated to clarify that no level of alcohol is safe to drink in pregnancy. The previous advice for pregnant women to limit themselves to no more than 1 to 2 units of alcohol once or twice per week has been removed to provide greater clarity as a precaution. Department of Health
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This review also found that the benefits of alcohol for heart health only apply for women aged 55 and over. The greatest benefit is seen when these women limit their intake to around 5 units a week, the equivalent of around 2 standard glasses of wine. The group concluded that there is no justification for drinking for health reasons.
These issues prompted changes to alcohol guidelines for men. Men should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol each week, the same level as for women. This equals 6 pints of average strength beer a week, which would mean a low risk of illnesses such as liver disease or cancer. The previous guidelines were 21 units for men and 14 units for women per week.
The guidelines for pregnant women have also been updated to clarify that no level of alcohol is safe to drink in pregnancy. The previous advice for pregnant women to limit themselves to no more than 1 to 2 units of alcohol once or twice per week has been removed to provide greater clarity as a precaution. Department of Health
See also
- Guidance: Consumption of alcoholic beverages and risk of cancer Department of Health
- Alcohol limits cut to reduce risks BBC News
- The truth about alcohol BBC News
- VIDEO: Do you drink more than you think? BBC News
- Alcohol guidelines shake-up set to rubbish Red Wine's health benefits The Daily Mail
- The new drinking guidelines are hyperbolic and puritan The Daily Telegraph
- Health chiefs attacked over 'nanny state' alcohol guide The Daily Telegraph
- Three pints of beer a night considered for 'binge drink' limit The Daily Telegraph
- Cancer risk 'increased' by drinking more than one glass of wine or pint of beer per day, experts warn The Independent
- Red wine is not good for you after all, chief medical officer says The Independent
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