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Low-risk Drinking Guidelines: The Scientific Evidence

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Abstract

In 1997 the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario and Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse released updated guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption. This paper presents the scientific rationale behind this statement. Important comprehensive overviews on the consequences of alcohol use were studied. Formal meta-analyses on morbidity and mortality were examined wherever possible. Individual elements from similar guidelines were investigated for their scientific foundation. Limited original analyses defined risk levels by average weekly consumption. The evidence reviewed demonstrated that placing limits on both daily intake and cumulative intake over the typical week is justifiable for the prevention of important causes of morbidity and mortality. Gender-specific limits on weekly consumption were also indicated. In these updated guidelines intended for primary prevention, days of abstinence are not necessarily recommended. Intoxication should be avoided and abstinence is sometimes advisable. Available evidence does not strongly favour one alcoholic beverage over another for cardiovascular health benefits.

Résumé

Les fondements scientifiques des directives sur la consommation d’alcool à faible risque publiées en 1997 par la Fondation de la recherche sur la toxicomanie et le Centre canadien de lutte contre les toxicomanies ont fait l’objet d’une évaluation. L’évaluation portait sur une sélection d’examens épidémio-logiques des conséquences de la consommation d’alcool les plus complets, dont des méta-analyses formelles sur la morbidité et la mortalité. Elle portait également sur des articles scientifiques principaux portant sur des questions précises. Les éléments des autres directives ont été examinés d’un oeil critique quant à leurs fondements scientifiques. Les données épidémiologiques ont servi à illustrer la courbe de risque relativement à certaines conséquences de la consommation d’alcool. La preuve scientifique appuie la définition des limites quotidiennes de consommation d’alcool, et des limites hebdomadaires, lesquelles diffèrent selon le sexe du buveur. Si ces limites sont respectées, il n’est pas nécessairement recommandé de réserver des jours d’abstinence. L’alcool doit être consommé lentement, et l’ivresse doit être évitée. Les effets sur la santé sont déterminés principalement par l’alcool en soit plutôt que par des boissons en particulier. Dans certaines circonstances, l’abstinence est recommandée.

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Bondy, S.J., Rehm, J., Ashley, M.J. et al. Low-risk Drinking Guidelines: The Scientific Evidence. Can J Public Health 90, 264–270 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404129

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