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18 June 2010 Reasons to go easy on the booze

As with any World Cup there is almost as much talk about those players who aren’t fit to play than there is surrounding those who will actually be fighting to win the trophy. Injured players have to make an impossible decision about whether they are willing to risk playing on in pain and causing real long term damage that will plague them in later life, or miss the biggest tournament of their careers.

Getting your head around how the things you do today might affect you negatively in later life isn’t an easy thing to do. Take alcohol for example. If you are in the pub watching the footy, you are unlikely to be thinking about the cumulative impact a few drinks with your mates might be having.

Regularly drinking more than 3-4 units a day (about 2 pints or two standard glasses of wine), however, can put men at risk of serious long term health conditions including liver damage, strokes and depression. Binge drinking is also a risk factor in developing heart disease and alcohol is the leading cause of throat and mouth cancer, second only to tobacco. Drinking too much can have other unwanted effects, such as:

A beer belly: It is a myth that beer goes straight to your stomach causing a ‘beer belly’ but that doesn’t mean that drinking won’t make you put on weight in other parts of your body. Alcohol is packed with calories. Men’s favourites – beer and cider – are the worst - a pint of either usually has between 200 and 300 calories. Imagine just how many calories you’re consuming on a heavy night out.

Fertility and impotence: Alcohol can reduce male fertility by lowering sperm counts and testosterone levels. Men’s sexual performance will also be harmed if they regularly drink more than recommended units and in the long term, they can have difficulty getting an erection.

Appearance: Excessive long-term drinking in men causes withering away of the testicles, enlargement of the breasts and loss of hair on the body. Heavy drinking can also cause inflamed red bumps and pus spots.

Gout: An arthritic condition that causes inflammation, swelling and pain in your joints. Gout is most common in men aged 30 to 60 and is linked to drinking alcohol.

For more information…

If you are worried that alcohol could be affecting your physical or mental health, visit your GP. They can run tests, offer advice and support, or refer you to an appropriate specialist.

You can also call Drinkline, the national 24-hour helpline, on 0800 917 82 82. Here at Drinkaware we have a lot of information in our Health section and Facts pages. 

 www.menshealthforum.org.uk -  is a comprehensive site that provides information and advice on everything related to men’s health and wellbeing.

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Drinkaware advises men not to regularly drink more than 3–4 units of alcohol a day.