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Alcohol intake

The United Kingdom is one of the heaviest alcohol-consuming countries in the world.  High alcohol intake is harmful to your health, and your heart, in a number of ways.  Research has found that regular high alcohol intake (beyond two drinks a day) will:

According to the Department of Health, men who regularly consume more than 8 alcohol units a day have four times the risk of developing high blood pressure, and a 1.7 times increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.  Women who regularly consume more than 6 alcohol units a day double their risk of developing high blood pressure and have a 1.3 times greater risk of developing coronary heart disease. [1]

Excessive alcohol consumption also increases risk of stroke, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and some forms of cancer.  Alcohol-related death rates in England have doubled since 1979, and excessive alcohol consumption is associated with between 15,000 and 22,000 premature deaths annually. 

Recommended level of alcohol intake

According to the Department of Health, men should not regularly drink more than 3 - 4 units of alcohol per day, and women should not regularly drink more than 2 - 3 units of alcohol per day. 

One unit contains 8 grams (10 mls) of pure alcohol.  How many units are in a drink depends on the size and strength of what you are drinking.  For instance, a pint of ordinary strength lager is 2 units, a 175ml glass of red or white wine is around 2 units, and a pint of strong cider is 3 units.  Some bottled drinks specify the number of units on the label.

Heart-health benefits from alcohol?

There is conflicting research surrounding heart health benefits and risks that come from alcohol consumption, with results varying according to how the data is interpreted. 

Some studies have found that low levels of alcohol intake (1-2 drinks a few times a week) can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, but only for men over the age of 40 and women past menopause. [2]   However, other factors may account for this risk differential.  Sporadic heavy drinking (binge drinking) increases the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease. [3]

Regular heavy alcohol use and abuse leads to many other public health problems, including liver disease, driving accidents, crime and violence that are not outweighed by any slight health benefits relating to coronary heart disease.  According to the Academy of Medical Sciences, "...alcohol is responsible for many more years of life lost than gained..." and "it is unlikely that overall reductions in consumption would have an adverse effect on deaths or morbidity from Coronary Heart Disease." [3]

Alcohol and obesity

Alcoholic drinks are high in calories (7 calories per gram of alcohol) with no nutritional value.  A half pint of ordinary strength lager contains 85 calories, a half pint of sweet cider contains 110 calories, and a 125ml glass of sparkling white wine has 95 calories. [4]  Alcohol also impedes the body's ability to burn fat.  Thus, regular alcohol consumption is likely to contribute to excessive weight gain and rising obesity rates in Britain.  Obesity brings several associated health problems including increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. 

Useful links

References

  1. Department of Health, Safe. Sensible. Social. The next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy, 5 June 2007.
  2. Institute for Alcohol Studies, Alcohol in Europe, London: June 2006.
  3. The Academy of Medical Sciences, Calling time: the Nation's drink as a major health issue, March 2004.
  4. BBC Health website on Alcohol, accessed 9 August 2007