Toronto, May 29 (Inditop) Sipping wine, beer or spirits thrice or more per week heightens the risk of binge drinking, says a new study.
Researchers from the universities of Montreal and Western Ontario who analysed drinking habits found that frequent alcohol consumption can lead to binge drinking among all gender and age groups.
The study also found that irregular drinkers rarely exceed two servings when they do consume such beverages.
“The relationship between drinking frequency and consumption per occasion might be both cultural and biological,” said study co-author Andree Demers, sociology professor at Montreal University.
The investigation established one drink as five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor, 12 ounces of beer, three ounces of port, sherry or vermouth.
Regardless of drinking preferences, the study found that many consume alcoholic beverages on a daily basis to experience its mood-altering affects, said a Montreal university release.
“Regular drinking builds up tolerance, therefore daily drinkers will need more than their usual drink or two to make a difference with everyday life and gain that festive feeling,” said study co-author Catherine Paradis, doctoral candidate at Montreal university.
“That fosters drinking beyond healthy limits – at least sporadically and perhaps weekly – to five drinks or more per occasion. And five units is above the recommended limits of healthy drinking.”
Close to 11,000 respondents, 5,743 women and 4,723 men, reported on their alcohol consumption within the last 12 months.
These findings were published in Addiction.
