Drinking guidelines should be set lower for obese people, as alcohol causes them more harm, experts say.
Overweight drinkers who follow the UK’s recommendation of no more than 14 units a week are three times more likely to develop certain cancers than those who are underweight.
A study from the University of Sydney examines data on 400,000 adults in the UK between the ages of 40 and 69 and looks at how many people have developed alcohol-related cancer over a 12-year period.
Bottles on the wall: higher levels of fat seem to “increase” the harmful effects of alcohol
They found that higher levels of fat seemed to “increase” the harmful effects of alcohol. Compared to “never drinkers” with the lowest body fat, those with the most fat who drink within alcohol limits are 53% more likely to develop cancer, including cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx , liver, intestines, stomach and breast.
But those with the least body fat who drink within the limits are only 19 percent more at risk.
People with the most fat who drink over the border are 61 percent more likely to get cancer.
Dr Elif Inan-Eroglu, who led both studies at the University of Sydney, said: “The guidelines for drinking alcohol should take into account the levels of obesity in humans.
“People with obesity, especially those with excess body fat, need to be more aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption.”
The UK’s chief medical officer advises men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week on a regular basis over three or more days.
But Dr Inan-Eroglu warned that these guidelines are too general, adding: “If you are of normal weight or if you are obese, it is no different – but it should be.”
Higher drinking allowances for healthy people can even act as “motivation,” she suggests, because “if I eat less, I can drink more.”
Dr Inan-Eroglu added: “People who are overweight and obese should consume alcohol with caution.
“From the point of view of cancer prevention, the safest level of alcohol consumption is complete avoidance.”
The researchers adjusted their results to take into account other factors that may affect their findings, including age, gender, diet, education level, physical activity, smoking status, sleep duration, socioeconomic status and existing heart rate. vascular disease or type 2 diabetes.
There, Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: “This study will be bad news if you are obese and have a hangover this morning, but it should teach you a lesson.
“Because manufacturers don’t have to put the number of calories on the bottle of your favorite bite by mistake, many people don’t pay attention to the amount of calories they consume and lead to cancer.
“Simply put, avoid drinking like the plague. You will be much healthier for this. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, President of the Alcohol Health Alliance in the United Kingdom, said: “Alcohol is responsible for 46 new cases of cancer every day in the United Kingdom.
“This latest study is another reminder of the harm that alcohol can do to our health, and highlights the combined risk of cancer from obesity and high-calorie alcohol.
“He also emphasizes the urgent need for the government to ensure that policies to reduce alcohol consumption are part of a broader strategy for obesity.
“We owe it to the health of our nation to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol and comprehensive restrictions on the marketing and availability of alcohol.”
Alcohol causes 46 new cancers every day in the UK – with overweight people being the most vulnerable
Dr Alison Giles, chief executive of the Alcohol Research Institute, said: “The healthcare community has known for years that alcohol causes cancer and that your risk increases even within the 14-unit UK guidelines.
“We also know that this risk increases with higher body fat, so it’s good to see research looking at combined risk factors.
“It is crucial that people who drink alcohol understand these risks, and better labeling of products and public health campaigns can raise awareness.
“Health professionals can also help people understand by discussing alcohol consumption as a risk factor for cancer in obese people.
“The alcohol industry will undoubtedly say that this is ‘scary’ when it comes simply to people who have the right to know the health risks of alcohol in order to make informed decisions about what they consume.”
Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group’s alcohol trading organization, said: “We believe we have clear information on packaging that helps, not alienates, consumers.
“Probably different guidelines for people would be confusing, counterproductive and also potentially patronizing.
“We support the inclusion of CMO guidelines on labeling, which is present in most alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom. Also, almost half of the products show calories on the labels, which is more likely to be useful for someone looking at their diets.
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