Should we call time on ‘wine o’clock’?

Shocking stats released this week showed that the likelihood of women dying from alcohol-related problems in their early 60s has risen almost a third since the year 2000. With the death rates among middle-aged women rising at a higher rate than men of the same age, doctors have said that the popular “wine o’clock” trend may be to blame. Drinkaware spokesperson and clinical director of Patient.co.uk, Dr Sarah Jarvis, says,

“Thanks to the wine o’clock trend, I see more women drinking a couple of glasses as a reward at the end of the day. A large glass tends to be three units, which adds up to 42 a week and is way over the recommended 14 units a week. In this case, women are much more likely to develop health problems earlier, or alcoholism. I recommend having at least a couple of booze-free days a week.”

Closer spoke to Clare Hutton, 42, who suffers from life-threatening health problems after years of enjoying an evening glass of wine.