Low-risk drinking guidelines: The scientific evidence

In 1997 the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario and Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse released updated guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumpti on. This paper presents the scientific rationale behind this statement. Imp ortant comprehensive overviews on the consequences of alcohol use were stud ied. Formal meta-analyses on morbidity and mortality were examined wherever possible. Individual elements from similar guidelines were investigated fo r their scientific foundation. Limited original analyses defined risk level s by average weekly consumption. The evidence reviewed demonstrated that pl acing limits on both daily intake and cumulative intake over the typical we ek is justifiable for the prevention of important causes of morbidity and m ortality. Gender-specific limits on weekly consumption were also indicated. In these updated guidelines intended for primary prevention, days of absti nence are not necessarily recommended. Intoxication should be avoided and a bstinence is sometimes advisable. Available evidence does not strongly favo ur one alcoholic beverage over another for cardiovascular health benefits.