Advice for those who want to enjoy an alcoholic drink while staying healthy has been given by television's Dr Michael Mosley.
The former doctor, journalist and author has given some tips, as well as his own approach to drinking. Experts have argued over the topic of drinking alcohol for years, and while some say any amount is bad for you others argue a limited amount can have protective qualities.
The effects of alcohol on the body vary from person to person, depending on your metabolism. Drinking what some would consider 'modest amounts' could have major health issues for others, according to Coventry Live.
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Writing on his Fast 800 diet programme site, Dr Mosley said: "Current UK guidelines - which are much lower than in Italy and Spain - advise limiting alcohol intake to 14 units a week (or around seven 175ml glasses of 12 per cent ABV wine).
"However, the problem wit units is that they are almost impossible to pin down. I try to drinking within the recommended guidelines of seven medium-sized glasses of wine a week, and I follow the principles of 5:2 - having a drink five nights a week and not drinking for two."
This advice also came with warnings, he added: "Alcohol can raise your mood, but when you go beyond the recommended guidelines you are increasing your risk of depression and anxiety."
Discussing the suggested benefits of small amounts of alcohol, he said: "After a glass or two a day, the benefits drop off pretty dramatically and disadvantages start to emerge, particularly the risk of liver and breast cancer."
Despite this, if you enjoy the occasional glass of red wine, Dr Mosley doesn't say cut it out entirely. Instead, he favours 'mindful' alcohol consumption, which sees drinkers savour their glass of red instead of gulping it down.
Back in January 2016, Dr Mosley abstained from drinking for the entire month and got the advice of experts during this period. One specialist he spoke to was Professor Tim Stockwell, director of the Centre for Addiction Research at the University of Victoria in Canada.
The expert, who advised the UK on their own alcohol guidelines, said there are no biochemical benefits to drinking. He said: "There's 60 different ways at least that alcohol can make you unwell or kill you.
"It's not just the obvious things like liver disease. A man drinking three to four units a day increases his risk of developing prostate cancer by 23 per cent. Alcohol, at whatever level, raises a woman's risk of breast cancer. There'd be 10 per cent fewer deaths from breast cancer worldwide if there was no drinking."
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