Bars, restaurants and clubs are closed due to the Corona crisis – but alcohol sales have increased in several countries. The World Health Organization warns of the consequences.
Lots of time at home, boredom and worry: This combination obviously motivates many people to drink more alcohol. The mirror alcohol sales have increased in several countries.
In response, Greenland banned the sale of take-away alcohol in the capital, Nuuk. In Western Australia, the amount that customers can buy has been restricted. There are also indications in Germany that, for example, beer and wine are in greater demand.
Alcohol weakens the immune system
The World Health Organization is critical of these developments. Alcohol is “not a helpful strategy” to deal with the burdens of the corona crisis, said Dr Aiysha Malik by the “Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse” of the WHO. On the contrary – alcohol can “make things worse”.
The problem: alcohol weakens the immune system. However, a strong immune system is important to fight the coronavirus. People with a weak immune system are at risk.
Alcohol is currently particularly problematic not only for health. What’s more: alcohol can do it Increase aggressiveness. Security agencies fear that cases of domestic violence will increase if too much alcohol is drunk.
Even small amounts are extremely harmful
Too much alcohol is unhealthy – we know that. But even small amounts have an impact on health and life expectancy. Already with more than 100 grams of (pure) alcohol per week, life expectancy is shortened – this is the result of a study in the specialist journal “The Lancet” from 2018.
100 grams of alcohol correspond to about five and a half glasses of wine or 2.5 liters of beer. Alcohol consumption also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, heart failure, high blood pressure, aortic aneurysm and strokes, the scientists write.
Data from almost 60,000 people
The international research team analyzed 83 studies from 19 countries for the study. In total, the researchers were able to access data from almost 600,000 people. With such a large amount of data, the study is particularly meaningful.
The scientists compared the subjects’ health and alcohol consumption and drew their conclusions. They also considered factors such as diabetes or tobacco use.
Change limits
With the study, the experts wanted to examine how sensible current limit values and recommendations for “safe” alcohol consumption are. For example, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends an upper limit of 140 grams per week of alcohol for men. For women, the value is 70 grams.
In Canada, Italy, Portugal and Spain the borders are even higher than in Germany, the reported Bavarian radio. In the United States, there is even a guideline of 196 grams of alcohol per week (for men). However, the study shows that the limits for responsible alcohol consumption are often far too high when you consider the health risks.
In a statement, the DGE stated that the organization’s limit values do not conflict with the results of the study. In addition, the guidelines should not be understood as an invitation to consume alcohol on a daily basis. “It is not possible … to specify the amount of alcohol that can be described as safe with regard to various negative health effects when used regularly,” the statement says.
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