Despite a certain level of liberalism displayed by some medical professionals regarding alcohol consumption, many experts are deeply concerned about the nearly daily drinking habits of the population.
As experts point out, who consider any amount of alcohol harmful, 14 servings can shorten your life. And, by the way, life is already short enough.
Where does this figure of 14 come from? That’s the maximum weekly limit of alcoholic beverages recommended by health authorities in the United Kingdom for both women and men. One serving (or dose) of alcohol is defined as 10 grams of pure alcohol, which translates to 25 grams of vodka, 100 grams of dry wine, or 200 grams of beer.
What does 14 servings look like? It could mean a bottle or two of Sauvignon Blanc almost every evening, or a “well-deserved” sherry, or gin and tonic while cooking. It might also involve a couple of pints of beer with friends a few days a week. And during vacation, there are really no limits at all.
When Dr. Ellie Cannon asked ordinary people to anonymously share their alcohol consumption habits, she received a flood of stereotypical stories. Respondents had never shared these with their family doctors, fearing they would be labeled as alcoholics. Consequently, most admitted they probably drink too much.
So, what are the risks associated with the “safe” alcohol limit?
Experts on this issue traditionally divide into two camps: those who don’t see moderate drinking as particularly alarming and those who view any amount as a significant health risk. The former argue that we face numerous other, far more serious dangers every day. The latter typically refer to new scientific evidence, as reported by the Daily Mail.
For instance, John Holmes, a professor at the University of Sheffield specializing in alcohol policy (yes, that exists), asserts that the health risks increase with every glass consumed. And with excessive drinking, those risks skyrocket.
There is now proven evidence linking alcohol consumption to the development of at least eight types of cancer, as well as dementia, heart attacks, strokes, and fatal liver diseases.
Breast cancer specialist Liz O’Riordan insists there is a connection between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. She shared her own experience: the disease returned to her twice, and she blames alcohol for it.
Meanwhile, David Spiegelhalter, a professor at Cambridge University, recalled a large American study indicating that even one drink a day raises the risk of premature death.
Other researchers are finding increasing evidence that small amounts of alcohol, such as the famous glass of red wine, may not be beneficial at all. In recent years, scientists have argued that a small amount of alcohol could protect the body, particularly the heart, from illness. However, researchers have noticed that over time, people tend to increase their intake, which only leads to more health problems.
Of course, scientists usually remind us that the impact of alcohol on a person’s health depends on factors such as genetics, health status, and age. Yet, neither good genetics, youth, nor robust health can serve as a lifelong shield against the harm caused by alcohol.
Regardless, alcohol consumption requires critical scrutiny. After all, any “safe” doses today could lead to real problems tomorrow.