Aussie Health Authority Rules We Shouldn't Have More Than 10 Standard Drinks Per Week

We're in the midst of silly season here in Australia and there's a high chance that your diary is packed.

Whether you're looking forward to your Christmas work party, a friend's soirée, a family BBQ or whatever - this time of year is full on and likely filled with a lot of booze.

That's why the latest health recommendations couldn't have come at a worse time.

Health authorities from the National Health and Medical Research Council say Aussies should not be having more than 10 standard drinks per week. That's two or less standard drinks per day, if you want a drink every day.

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To be more specific, they recommend not having more than four standard drinks in a day if you're not going to be drinking every day.

It used to be no more than two standard drinks per day or 14 per week, however the advice has now been changed.

There are plenty of people who wouldn't mind coming home from a long day and knocking back a couple of beers or wines to take the edge off, however the NHMRC reckons that you'll be doing harm to your body if you do.

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NHMRC chief Professor Anne Kelso has pointed out that iIf you want to drink more than that then you're completely entitled to do so.

However she adds: "The less you choose to drink, the lower your risk of alcohol-related harm.

"We're providing advice about the health risks from drinking alcohol so that we can all make informed decisions in our daily lives.

"This advice has been developed over the past three years using the best health evidence available.

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"In 2017 there were more than 4,000 alcohol-related deaths in Australia, and across 2016/17 more than 70,000 hospital admissions. Alcohol is linked to more than 60 medical conditions, particularly numerous cancers. So, we all need to consider the risks when we decide how much to drink."

This is the first time the advice has been updated since 2009 so it will no doubt take a while for it to settle in with Aussies.

If you're wondering how much you can have now, a standard drink is described as 'a nip of spirits, a small (100mL) glass of wine, or a midi or pot of beer'.

That will certainly disrupt your Christmas plans - but, of course, if you want to look after your health then that's what's recommended.

Topics: News, Interesting, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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