Canadians are being told to limit their alcohol consumption to just two drinks a week, according to new guidance from top government advisers.
The Canada Center on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) notified on Tuesday that the country’s 38 million people drink no more than two standard drinks a week. This was a big drop from 10 drinks a week for women and 15 for men.
Experts were quick to dismiss the guidance as “worse than useless” and said it “neglected” the benefits of drinking. Some feared that the exaggerated guidelines were so ridiculous that people would not follow them and that they eroded trust in health officials.
Canada’s advice is also at odds with that of many other countries, including the US, which say women can have a maximum of seven standard drinks a week and men can have 14. In Australia, the policy allows up to 11 bottles of beer per week. It comes after a World Health Organization official warned earlier this week that no amount of alcohol is safe.
The above shows the maximum recommended weekly alcohol intake per country. The standards were compared to Canada, where a standard alcoholic drink is a 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine. This is the same size used in the US
Dr Erin Hobin, a senior scientist at the Canadian agency behind the guidelines, told the BBC: ‘The new guidelines can be a bit of a shock.
‘[But] the main message of this new guideline is that too much alcohol is not good for your health. And if you drink, less is better.”
She added: “I think it’s a lot of new information to the public that three standard drinks a week increases the risk of head and neck cancer by 15 percent and continues to increase with each additional drink.”
Experts took the step with dr. Dan Malleck, professor of health sciences at Brock University in Ontario, who said: “[This guidance] is not useless, it is worse than useless. It will probably do some damage.’
He added, “It will cause worry, anxiety and stress, all of which are strongly linked to harm to health.”
Asked if this would lead to more people ignoring Canada’s health guidelines, he said: “Some people will ignore the recommendations and others will be concerned.”
The table above was published by Canadian Health Authorities to show how many drinks they classify as moderate or high risk
The above shows the standard size for a drink in Canada
No amount of alcohol is safe, WHO 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.
The CCSA considers a standard alcoholic beverage to be a 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine.
A drink or two a week is now said to be ‘low risk’ for Canadians.
But drinking three to six times a week puts people at “moderate risk” for health problems.
The increase to seven or more drinks per week puts people at “increasingly high risk,” the group says.
This means that the average Canadian is advised not to drink at all, or limit it to a maximum of one or two drinks per week.
The group updated the guidelines in a 90-page report reviewed by two dozen scientists who claimed to have reviewed more than 6,000 different studies.
However, other experts were quick to poke holes in the methodology, saying only 16 articles were viewed from the same direction.
The CCSA report was concerned about seven different types of cancer that could be linked to alcohol use.
Breast and colorectal cancer topped the list, followed by cancers of the rectum, mouth and throat, liver, esophagus and larynx.
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease in Canada.
Doctors say the main risk factors for the disease are older age, a family history of breast cancer, obesity and starting menstruation at a younger age.
The report likely sent shockwaves across Canada today, warning many residents that they may have been drinking unsafe amounts.
Asked about the guidelines in central London, Ontario, student Hailey Frank told CBC today: “It’s absolutely alarming. I have a feeling that when most people drink, they end up having more than two drinks, especially university students.”
But others were more opposed to the measures.
Dr Dan Malleck, a public health expert at Brock University, said the guidance was “worse than useless”.
Another student, Cheryl Mason, told the publication: “I don’t think it’s going to stop anyone anyway. My grandparents have at least two drinks a week and that’s fine.’
Resident Wayne White added: “I have mixed feelings about this because I live with my grandparents who drink wine every day. You are 97.’
Experts were quick to dismiss the guidelines, saying they were “irresponsible” and “ignored” the benefits of drinking alcohol.
DR Malleck told DailyMail.com: “I know people who are already concerned about their alcohol consumption as a result of these guidelines and particularly concerned that they have already exceeded lifetime safe limits.
“So it’s going to cause worry, anxiety and stress, all of which are strongly linked to damage to health.”
he added TwitterI don’t need to tell you about your life, but alcohol enlivens many lives in very positive ways.
“We celebrate achievements, celebrate occasions, bring wine to parties, meet friends, feel sorry for each other, relax, let off steam… these are important activities and are part of the texture and tone of many lives.
“I’m not saying you have to drink to enjoy life, but a lot of people find it fun and enjoyable.”
Canada’s new guidelines are well below the recommendations for other countries.
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In the UK, health officials say people should drink no more than six pints or six glasses of wine a week.
This is equivalent to about 10 bottles of beer on Canada’s standard beer standard, or seven glasses of wine. In the UK, a beer is around 16 ounces, while wine is 6 ounces.
In Australia, health officials say people should drink no more than 10 glasses a week. This was equivalent to about 11 beers or seven glasses of wine compared to the Canadian standard.
France also says people should not drink more than 10 beers or wine a week. But by Canadian standards, that’s about seven bottles of beer or seven glasses of wine a week.
The US, which uses the same measurements as Canada, says it’s safe for women to drink 10 bottles of beer or a glass of wine a week. Men are allowed 15 each.
Canada Beer’s trade organization criticized Canada’s move and called for a panel of experts to be formed to review the agency’s work.
A spokesperson added: “Responsible, moderate consumption can be part of a balanced lifestyle for most adults of legal drinking age.
“However, overconsumption and alcohol abuse should be avoided as they are associated with increased health risks that have long been recognized.”
It is estimated that about two-thirds of Canadians drink alcohol.
By comparison, about 70 percent of people in the United States report drinking alcohol.
The CCSA also has strict guidelines on marijuana use – which is legal in Canada – and recommends using the drug no more than once a week.
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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.
