Middle-aged activists should have days without drink, say activists

A new campaign urges people between the ages of 45 and 65 to have regular days without drinks.

Middle-aged drinkers are more likely than other age groups to drink more than the recommended 14 units per week.

A YouGov survey also shows that it is much harder to reduce alcohol than to eat healthy or exercise.

Doctors say that days without drinks will improve sleep, help to lose weight and reduce the risk of hypertension and cancer.

Dr. Julia Verne, spokesperson on liver disease at Public Health England, said, "A day off allows you to clean your system and give your liver a rest, which also has an immediate impact on your sleep. and your calorie consumption.

"People have also told us that the idea of ​​a" no drink "day is much easier to manage than cutting, say, a big glass of wine to a small glass of wine."

The benefits of a day of rest

The Drink Free Days campaign is a partnership between Public Health England and the Drinkaware alcohol education charity.

The YouGov survey – conducted by PHE and Drinkaware – surveyed nearly 9,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 85 in May and June of this year.

He found that one in five was drinking more than the 14 government guidelines a week.

And two-thirds said they would find it harder to drink than to improve their diet, exercise more or reduce their smoking.

Dr. Verne said, "Most middle-aged people do not drink to get drunk, they consider it a social activity or a reward for success or compensation for a hard day's work. has become a habit and a part of their lives.

"But the more you drink, the more you increase your risk of hypertension, heart and liver disease and cancer.

"In the end, you are more inclined to cut back if you have a few days off to drink," she said.

She also pointed out that many people in this age group were struggling with their weight and that they were not realizing how many calories were contained in alcohol.

The campaign is part of a growing awareness of the health risks associated with the consumption of alcohol.

Recently, a large worldwide study conducted by the Lancet showed that there was no safe level of alcohol consumption, although the risks associated with one drink a day were low.

In 2016, the government reduced the recommended alcohol consumption limits for men and women to a maximum of 14 units per week, equivalent to six pints of medium beer or seven glasses of wine. .