Dr Michael Mosley issued a health warning to anyone who enjoys a tipple or two.
The dieting expert is always issuing advice on how to keep fit and now he has shared his own approach to alcohol, including how he balances enjoying a drink and staying healthy. Scientists have argued over the issue of alcohol for years, with some claiming that any alcohol at all is bad for you while other studies show that limited intake can have protective qualities.
The effect of alcohol on your body varies from person to person and how fast you metabolise it. This means drinking what one person considers 'modest amounts' could lead to major health issues for another, according to Coventry Live.
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Writing on his Fast 800 diet programme site, the doctor 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 percent ABV wine). However, the problem with units is that they are almost impossible to pin down."
Dr Mosley on his alcohol consumption
Famous for his TV work and diet programmes, Dr Mosley has revealed how much he drinks each week. He said: "I try to drink 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."
But this comes with multiple warnings. He said: "Alcohol can raise your mood, but when you go beyond the recommended guidelines you are increasing your risk of depression and anxiety."
While some studies, many of which have been criticised as flawed, suggest red wine could have heart protective qualities, Dr Mosley 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. This, he hopes, results in a reduction in how much people drink and could lead to weight loss for many.
Alcohol and cancer risk
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 Prof 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%. Alcohol, at whatever level, raises a woman's risk of breast cancer. There'd be 10% fewer deaths from breast cancer worldwide if there was no drinking."
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