Alchohol is a help to the aged

The health benefits of alcohol only apply to middle-aged and elderly people, according to a new study published today.

In men aged up to 35 and women aged up to 55, even light drinking leads to a higher risk of death when compared with people who do not drink at all, researchers have found.

The study, published in today's British Medical Journal, analysed the drinking habits of men and women in England and Wales ranging from 16 year olds to the over-85s.

Using national death statistics and international studies on diseases, researchers assessed links between alcohol consumption and risk of death and how this varies with gender and age. Generally, drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer, hypertension, liver disease, accidents and violence. But moderate consumption reduces the risk of heart disease.

The new study found that the risk of death increased with the amount of alcohol consumed in women aged 16-54 and in men aged 16-34.

The authors, led by Ian White of the Medical Research Council, suggest that to keep increased risk below five per cent, women should limit drinking to one unit a day up to the age of 44. Up to the age of 74 it should be limited to two units a day and three units per day over the age of 75.

Men should limit their drinking to one unit a day up to the age of 34. Up to the age of 44, it should be two units a day, up to 54 three units a day, four units a day up to 84 and five units a day for the over-85s.

However, the authors also state: "As most deaths attributable to alcohol at younger ages are due to injuries, a greater focus could be placed on avoiding risky patterns of drinking."

The study found the amount you can drink without going above a five per cent increased risk of death rises with age. It ranges from eight units to 20 units a week in women and between five and 34 units a week for men.

Also, the amount you can drink to have the lowest mortality rate increased with age. It ranged from none for men and women under 35 to three units a week for women over 65 and eight units for men over 65.

For general good health, medical advice suggests men and women should drink less than 21 and 14 units of alcohol a week respectively. A normal glass of wine or half a pint of regular-strength beer contains one unit.