New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Maastricht, Netherlands, shows that overweight boozers have three times the risk of developing some types of cancer because of their fat levels that amplify the harmful effects of alcohol.
Due to this, experts call on changing guideline drinking limits for people suffering from obesity as alcohol causes them more significant harm. They said that overweight who follow the UK's recommended alcohol consumption of no more than 14 units per week are more likely to get cancer than their slim counterparts. So, how much alcohol should they consume?
Overweight Boozers Three Times Likelier to Have Cancer: Experts Call for Different Alcohol Limits to Cut Back Risk
Recommended Alcohol Consumption for People Suffering From Obesity
The current alcohol limits set by UK medical officers for both men and women to not drink more than 14 units per week or an equivalent to six pints of beer or 10 small glasses of wine are too general, according to study author Dr. Elif Inan-Eroglu.
She added that there should be different guidelines for people with normal weight and who are overweight or obese, Metro reported. She emphasized that alcohol drinking guidelines should consider the obesity levels of people since they have different fat levels. Those with more fat excess in the body should be aware of the risk of alcohol consumption.
If people follow the current alcohol drinking guideline of 14 units a week, then it increases overweight boozers' risk of developing cancer by 61% compared to the 37% risk of drinking above the guidelines of people with healthy weight.
She added that higher allowances for alcohol healthy people could drink could even give them the motivation to drink more.
"If I eat less, I can drink more," Elif suggested, as quoted by the news outlet.
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Cancer Types Associated with Heavy Drinking
The study enumerated eight alcohol-related cancers they identified in overweight boozers. These cancer types include oral, throat, breast, larynx, esophagus, liver, stomach, and bowel cancer. Previous studies also identified the liver disease as a consequence of heavy drinking, even in those with normal weight.
According to the National Cancer Institute, some studies also pinpointed a link between alcohol drinking with ovarian, prostate, uterus, and bladder cancer. There is also evidence that alcohol consumption is associated with melanoma and pancreatic cancers.
Experts Call on to Proper Labelling on Alcoholic Drinks
Elif said that overweight and obese people should consume alcohol cautiously to prevent cancer, noting that the safest level of alcohol consumption for them is total avoidance.
On the other hand, manufacturers are not required to put calories on the bottle of alcoholic drinks, so many people are unaware of the calories they consume, leading to overdrinking and possibly cancer.
According to MailOnline, experts call on the government to ensure that the policies that reduce alcohol consumption are part of their Obesity Strategy that will introduce comprehensive alcohol restrictions on alcohol marketing by making better product labeling and engaging in more public health campaigns.
Healthcare professionals can also help by discussing alcohol consumption as a cancer risk factor for overweight and obese people to help them make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption.
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