While cold beers and cocktails can be refreshing during a hot spell like Calgary, a new report recommends guidelines putting a cap on how much alcohol Canadians should consume in a week.
The Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) conducted two years of research and found that there is a low health risk for Canadians to consume up to two drinks per week.
Drinking three to six drinks a week increases the risk to a moderate level, while drinking more than six drinks contributes to an increased risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease and violent situations.
“Alcohol is the leading preventable cause of death and disabling injury, accidents and social harm. So it’s something that’s within people’s control,” said Dr. Peter Butt, co-chair of the CCSA’s Guidelines for Low-Risk Alcohol Use in Canada.
Some Calgarians say sticking to a certain number of drinks can be more difficult than limiting drinking due to a variety of factors.
“You can easily have three to six drinks on a Friday night without thinking too much, especially in the summer,” Sean Felix said.
“You have to find moderation within yourself. It’s a personal thing and six drinks won’t affect everyone the same,” said Sean Nadbrzezny.
The manager of St. James Corner says staff are trained to reduce the dangers of intoxication and don’t recommend customers drink a week’s worth of drinks in one visit.
“As a bar we have our own safety guidelines, but health is the responsibility of our guests,” Jeff Beddows said.
The 2011 version of those recommendations allowed more drinks at 15 a week for men and 10 for women, but researchers say emerging data show harmful health risks at higher consumption.
“You can reduce risk by simply reducing. You don’t have to stop drinking – if you just cut back, less is better,” Butt said.
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