No amount of alcohol is “safe,” experts warn.
Researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) have accepted that drinking may have some “minor” health benefits, such as: B. reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
However, the team argued that this clearly does not outweigh the negative effects of alcohol.
Excessive alcohol consumption can permanently damage the liver and cause cancer, they warned.
WHO researchers have warned that alcohol consumption is one of the main risk factors for premature death and disability, with younger people disproportionately affected
However, critics today slammed the news, accusing the authors of “demonizing” alcohol and releasing it with “insufficient evidence”.
It comes as millions try to give their bodies a break from alcohol and go cold turkey with alcohol during “Dry January.”
Leading experts have debated the harms of moderate drinking for decades.
Studies have shown that a glass of wine or a pint of beer a day can prevent numerous diseases.
While others have argued that even light drinking is dangerous.
The WHO estimates that excessive alcohol consumption kills 3 million people around the world every year.
In The Lancet Public Health, the WHO expert team wrote that “alcohol consumption” was behind the toll.
Her comments – not released as a WHO-approved statement – were not based on new research.
Instead, it was published as a commentary, using various old studies to justify their position.
The team said some studies suggested that light drinking “may have a small protective effect.”
However, they claimed no study had shown that it also “reduces the risk of cancer for an individual consumer”.
And the protective effects of moderate consumption “disappear with occasional heavy drinking,” they claimed.
“As such, no safe level of alcohol consumption for cancer and health can be established,” they concluded.
“Alcohol consumers must be objectively informed about the risks of cancer and other health problems associated with alcohol use.”
The NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units a week, spread over three days or more.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans drink no more than 14 standard alcoholic drinks per week for men and seven for women.
Ian Hamilton, an addiction expert at the University of York, told MailOnline that the WHO expertstrue” that there is “no safe level” when it comes to health risks.
However, he added that it was “important”. to emphasize” that if the guidelines are followed, the health risk is “low”.
The risk of developing alcohol-related diseases is “greatest for those who consume large amounts in a short period of time,” he added.
Mr Hamilton said: “It is important to ensure that everyone understands the risks of their consumption, but for those who drink occasionally and in small quantities, the risks to their health are small.”
Meanwhile, Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the think tank Institute of Economic Affairs, criticized the paper.
He told MailOnline: “In its attempts to demonize alcohol, the WHO speculates that there is ‘no safe level’ of alcohol consumption for some cancers.
It admits that there is not enough evidence to support it.
“However, there is a tremendous amount of evidence, accumulated over decades, showing that moderate drinking significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia.”
He added: “Moderate drinkers live longer on average than teetotalers. So if moderate drinking is risky enough to worry about, the risks of not drinking at all should be scary.”
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DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? THE 10 QUESTIONS THAT DISCOVER YOUR RISK
A screening tool commonly used by medical specialists is the OUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests). The 10-item test, which was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization, is considered the gold standard for determining whether someone has alcohol abuse.
The test is reproduced here with permission from the WHO.
To complete it, answer each question and record the corresponding score.
YOUR RESULT:
0-7: You are within the limits of reasonable drinking and are at low risk for alcohol-related problems.
More than 8: Indicates harmful or dangerous drinking.
8-15: Medium risk level. If you drink at your current level, you risk problems with your health and life in general, such as: B. Work and relationships. Consider reducing it (see below for tips).
16-19: Higher risk for complications from alcohol. At this level it can be difficult to reduce on your own as you may be dependent and may need professional help from your GP and/or a counsellor.
20 and over: Possible dependency. Your drinking is already causing problems and you may well be dependent. You should definitely consider phasing out, or at least drinking less. You should seek professional help to determine your addiction and the safest way to stop drinking.
Severe addiction may require medically assisted cessation or detoxification in a hospital or specialty clinic. This is because of the potential for severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms within the first 48 hours, which require specialist attention.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
