Calgarians react to new guidelines for alcohol intake
Although cold beers and cocktails can be refreshing during a hot stretch of weather like Calgary is experiencing, a new report has recommended guidelines placing a cap on how much booze Canadians should consume in a week.
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) conducted two years of research and determined there is low health risk for Canadians to consume up to two drinks per week.
Having three to six drinks per week increased the risk to moderate, while having more than six was found to contribute to increased risks of cancer, stroke, heart disease and situations of violence.
"Alcohol is the leading preventable cause of death and disability injuries, accidents and social harm. So this is something that is under people's control," said Dr. Peter Butt, co-chair for Canada's Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines as released by the CCSA.
Some Calgarians say sticking to a specific number of drinks may be trickier than moderating drinking for various factors.
"You can easily have three to six drinks on a Friday night without too much thought, especially in the summer," Sean Felix said.
"You got tofind the moderation within yourself. Its a personal thing and six drinks won't affect everybody the same," Shawn Nadbrzezny said.
The manager at St. James Corner says staff are trained to reduce the dangers of intoxication, and doesn't recommend patrons to slam back a week's worth of drinks in one visit.
"As a bar, we have our own guidelines for safety, but the health is our guests' responsibility," Jeff Beddoes said.
The 2011 version of these recommendations allowed for more drinks at 15 per week for men and 10 for women, however researchers say emerging data demonstrated harmful health risks with higher consumption.
"You can decrease your risk by simply cutting back. You don't have to quit drinking — if you simply cut back, less is better," Butt said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.