Half a glass of wine less a week to live longer

FOUR in five drinkers would live longer if they cut back by just half a glass of wine a week, according to a major study.

Around two-thirds of adults consume alcohol at least once a week, half of whom exceed the recommended safe levels.

But the study by the Organisation for economic co-operation and Development estimated that between 79 and 83 per cent could reduce their overall risk of death by cutting back by just one unit. This is equivalent to one small 125ml glass of wine – half a 250ml glass commonly used by restaurants – or half a pint of beer.

The research also showed that in the UK the average adult drinks 10.5 litres or 18.5 pints of pure alcohol a year. This is the 11th highest of the 34 Western countries included in the study and well above the average of nine litres.

Alcohol consumption has increased by 10 per cent in the UK in the past 30 years, whereas in most other countries – including France, the US and the netherlands – it has started to fall.

The report also calculated that two-thirds of alcohol in the UK is drunk by the 20 per cent of adults who drink over the safe limits.

NHS guidelines state that women should have no more than 14 units a week while men should not exceed 21 units. But just over half of adults admit they exceed this limit, including a quarter who drink more than double.

The research also found that the percentage of 15-year-olds in the UK who have tried alcohol increased from 71 per cent in 2002 to 75 per cent in 2010, although there is some evidence it has

‘Dangerous drinking habits’

since fallen. And girls appear to have caught up with boys and are now drinking in their early teens.

The report said that in 2009/10, 41 per cent of 15-year- old girls had been drunk compared to 42 per cent of boys. But in 2001/02, just 25 per cent of girls this age had been drunk compared to 30 per cent of boys.

Professor Sir ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: ‘This report shows that while average alcohol consumption may be falling in some countries, those who drink are drinking from a younger age and drinking more.

‘ These trends are worrying because heavy drinking at a younger age is associated with an increased risk of both acute and chronic conditions.

‘Alcohol consumption is also largely under-reported, which means that an accurate picture of the scale of the problem remains to be seen. For too long drinking has been seen as a personal choice rather than a population-wide public health issue.

‘This report demonstrates there is no silver bullet and that success only comes when a range of policies on pricing, marketing and availability are implemented.’

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Drinking too much too often can be devastating for health. While it is encouraging that the number of UK schoolchildren drinking alcohol has been falling, we know we need to do more to prevent people getting into dangerous drinking habits.’