| Government alcohol guidelines are based on flawed evidence about health benefits |
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The House of Commons Science and Technology has released a report recommending a review of alcohol guidelines. In 1987 “sensible drinking” guidelines were introduced of 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women. However just a few years later these were revised based on studies claiming to show that drinking a small amount of alcohol daily had positive benefits to heart health. The guidelines were changed from a weekly limit to a daily one and in the process the overall weekly limits were effectively increased. By recommending 3 to 4 units per day for men and 2 to 3 units per day for women weekly maximums increased significantly to 28 units for men and 21 units for women. In fact the benefits to the heart are highly controversial and if they do exist mainly apply to men over 40 and post menopausal women. People younger than this will simply be damaging their bodies and receive no benefit to their heart. Daily drinking is actually considered to be harmful as it does not allow the body a chance to recover. The committee recommends that the public should be advised to have at least two days a week without alcohol and current limits should not be increased. Behind The Headlines: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/01January/Pages/avoid-alcohol-2-days-per-week.aspx Parliament (News): http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/news/120109-alcohol-rpt-published/ Parliament (Report): http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmsctech/1536/153602.htm |