Any alcohol is risky: United Kingdom health chiefs

There is no justification to drink for health reasons, and consumption of any level of alcohol increases the risk of a range of cancers, according to new guidelines published by the UK’s Department of Health.

The new version also warns about “binge drinking”, clarifies advice about the risks of drinking during pregnancy and addresses studies which have suggested that alcohol might be good for heart health.

The guidance marks the first full review of NHS alcohol guidelines since 1995.

The new guidelines on drinking alcoholic beverages state, “men and women who drink regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week”.

Women who find out they are pregnant after already having drunk during early pregnancy, should avoid further drinking, but should be aware that it is unlikely in most cases that their baby has been affected.

The government said it made the revisions to the guidance because there is now evidence that the risks associated with alcohol “start from any level of regular drinking and increase with the amount being drunk”.

Now, it is recommended that you have several alcohol free days a week.

A new set of alcohol guidelines issued by health officials in the United Kingdom take a hard stance: any amount of alcohol increases cancer risk, and is generally unhealthy.

How many units are in our favourite alcoholic drinks?

The new advice says men and women who drink regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week – equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine.

Most of us know what alcohol can do to our bodies.

Under the new guidelines the gender difference will be thrown out and drinkers will be to keep off the booze for at least two days a week in order to allow their livers to recover.

Limited the total amount of alcohol you drink on any occasion.

“Individuals will make their own judgements as to risks they are willing to accept from alcohol, whether to drink alcohol, and how much and how often to drink”.

Evidence that red wine or other alcohol is beneficial for health “is considered less strong than it was”, the guidelines say. Scientists admit that there is scant evidence regarding drinking at low levels in pregnancy but they say it is perfectly plausible it can harm the foetus. Previously, pregnant women in the United Kingdom were told not to drink but, if they did, to limit it – but that last part has become stricter.