Health experts in Canada have issued new alcohol advice for the country, saying that people should not drink at all. Health Canada says that if people 'have to drink' a maximum of two in a week could be considered 'low risk'.
The guidance is an update to advice issued in 2011, when it was said women could safely have 10 drinks in a week and men 15. The new report by Health Canada also suggests mandatory warning labels for all alcoholic drinks, reports the BBC.
Erin Hobin, senior scientist with Public Health Ontario who helped developed the 90-page guidelines, said: "The main message from this new guidance is that any amount of alcohol is not good for your health."
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, any more than two drinks increases the risk of illnesses including breast and colon cancer. The risk of head and neck cancers increases by 15% above two drinks a week, and further increases with every additional drink.
Australia and France's guidance recommends a maximum of 10 drinks a week, reports the BBC. The US recommends no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women.
The UK suggests no more than six standard drinks per week.
The Netherlands has recommended people avoid all alcohol since 2015.
