Drinking alcohol provides no health benefit in anybody under the age of 40, according to a new study.
Men under 40 should limit their alcohol intake to no more than one shot of beer each day – or 38ml. Women, however, are able to drink more, with the study suggesting two tablespoons of wine or 100ml of beer.
Yet for those over the age of 40, alcohol can actually improve health by fending off strokes, diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers looked at the risk of drinking alcohol on 22 health outcomes. This includes injuries, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.
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Informed decisions
These findings clash with NHS alcohol guidance. Currently, it recommends to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across three or more days.
The study – carried out at the University of Washington – also found that health loss in the over 65s only occurs from the fourth standard drink and onwards.
It revealed that almost 60% of those who drank harmful amounts were aged 15 to 39. Three in four of harmful drinkers were men.
Senior author, Dr Emmanuela Gakidou, is a professor of health metrics sciences. ‘Our message is simple: young people should not drink, but older people may benefit from drinking small amounts,’ she said.
‘While it may not be realistic to think young adults will abstain from drinking, we do think it’s important to communicate the latest evidence so that everyone can make informed decisions about their health.’
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