Taking Care of Ourselves this month – Low Risk Drinking

December marks the most festive time of the year. It is a time when we partake in holiday cheer. Before the arrival of the holidays, it can be helpful to consider the risks and benefits to your health of the extra rum toddy or spiked eggnog. 

 

Recently, the “Low Risk Drinking Guidelines” have been updated. There has been a recognition that the amount of alcohol that it takes to challenge our liver and heart is perhaps less than we originally thought. These guidelines can help us to have a way of taking stock and maintaining our health as we enjoy the occasional drink to celebrate. 

 

What is a standard drink? 

In recent years, everything from restaurant meals to servings of alcohol have been “supersized”. A standard drink is 5 oz. or 142 ml. of wine, 12 oz. or 241 ml. of beer and 1.5 oz. or 43 ml. of liquor. 

 

How much can I drink? 

The biggest change in the guidelines is a reduction in the number of drinks that is considered safe. Any more than two drinks a week increases the risk of alcohol related diseases such as liver disease, cancer and heart disease. The risk of breast cancer in women begins to rise after three drinks a week. The risk rises with the number of drinks per week. The current guidelines recommend no more than six drinks a week. Recent studies also discount the initial thought that alcohol might have protective benefits for heart health.  

 

The new guidelines are now undergoing public consultation and will be likely widely released soon by the Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction. 

 

This is a sobering thought indeed. There are two take away messages from this. First of all, any amount of alcohol is associated with risk. Secondly, it is important to take stock.

  

In the end, it is time to raise a glass and toast (with a mocktail) to your health. 

 

Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in London and the mother of two young men and proud grandmother of three! She continues to find wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite more than 30 years on the job!