A recent study conducted by the University of Cambridge has found that the current alcohol consumption limits set by various countries are too high. The study revealed that consuming more than five beers per week can shorten life expectancy. Currently, there is no unified recommendation within the European Union (EU) regarding the maximum amount of alcohol that adults can consume without causing harm to their health. Portugal considers up to 40 grams of alcohol per day for men and women to be safe, while France recommends a maximum of 30 grams per day for both genders. Germany recommends women to consume a maximum of 12 grams of alcohol per day, while men can consume up to 24 grams per day without any health problems.
The study analyzed health data from approximately 600,000 participants from 19 high-income countries. The researchers found that the actual limit for safe alcohol consumption is 100 grams per week, which is significantly lower than the maximum limits set by most EU member states. The study also revealed that consuming more than 100 grams of alcohol per week can increase the risk of death and heart disease. The study’s findings suggest that individuals who consume between 100 and 200 grams of alcohol per week can shorten their life expectancy by approximately six months, while those who consume between 200 and 350 grams per week can shorten their life expectancy by one to two years. Those who consume more than 350 grams per week can shorten their life expectancy by four to five years.
The study also found that consuming alcohol above the recommended limit can increase the risk of death from high blood pressure and stroke. However, the study revealed a paradoxical result in relation to heart attacks, where the risk of death decreases with increased alcohol consumption. The study’s findings highlight the importance of adhering to safe alcohol consumption limits to maintain good health.
