Guidelines for Sensible Drinking Not Adequate for Preventing Cancer, Researchers Say

Current guidelines for sensible drinking are not adequate for preventing cancer, according to a new report. The authors say many countries’ recommendations for moderate drinking don’t take into account the long-term risks of alcohol use.

The Los Angeles Times reports the researchers, from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, argue that the idea of “sensible drinking” may help prevent people from drinking too much at any one time, but do not take into account alcohol is considered an avoidable risk factor for cancer. The authors write in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that for cancer prevention, there is no level of safe alcohol consumption.

In the United States, guidelines suggest men have no more than two drinks per day, and women have no more than one. The article notes that British guidelines allow for slightly more daily alcohol for both men and women.