One Day On, One Day Off - New Guideline For Drinkers

Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation (quango) in the UK report says, consumption of alcohol two days in a row should be avoided to prevent health conditions such as cancer, heart disease or cirrhosis of the liver.

The Public Health England proposed a 92-page paper of new guidelines that promote healthy living in the UK, which also recommends a "one-day on, one-day off" when it comes to alcohol consumption. Though the 92-page report, suggests three to four days would be better to break the habit of drinking regularly, it states, "Daily drinking is a key contributor to increased risk, so it is possible that promoting a simple approach such as never drinking two days in a row would have a positive impact."

Individuals who have exceeded the recommended daily allowance the day before, which is 2-3 units for women, 3-4 for men are advised by Public Health England to abstain from alcohol the following day.

A Public Health England spokesman said they would stand by the recommendations of the guidelines. He said: "This helps to break the habit of drinking regularly and early findings from consumer research indicates that people may find it easier to reduce drinking occasions as opposed to drinking the volume consumed on each occasion."

UK government's most senior health advisor, the Chief Medical Officer recommends people refrain from drinking on at least two days a week. However, the newly proposed guidelines suggest that avoiding alcohol for three to four days a week would probably make more sense.

The proposal has received criticism from politicians and medical professionals. As told to the Daily Mail, GP Martin Scurr says, "Giving up alcohol on alternate days is not something most doctors would recognise as a helpful strategy to curb excessive drinking. It's hard to see how this plan from Public Health England will persuade excessive drinkers to rein back."

Other government officials have reportedly said that the recommendations of the report were "completely unrealistic" and an example of the "nanny state".

Source: Medindia