Heavy drinkers try to 'burn off' booze
Heavy drinkers try to 'burn off' alcohol with exercise, but this poses a health risk warn experts
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Thursday, 26, Nov 2009 12:02
By Sarah Garrod.
A government survey with worrying results has warned people not to try to burn off alcohol with exercise.
A survey from YouGov found 3.8 million adults in England are "misguidedly trying to burn off the booze with exercise".
The survey on behalf of the Know Your Limits campaign found 19 per cent of adults in England who exercise regularly and drink alcohol admit to taking exercise or playing sport in order to 'make up' for having drunk a lot of alcohol in the previous few days.
Researchers behind the survey said that worryingly, this is even more prevalent among heavy drinkers. The survey found one in five English adults are drinking more than double the NHS recommended limits and, of those who also exercise, over a quarter admit doing so to make up for their drinking.
Public health minister Gillian Merron said: "Everyone knows that regularly taking part in physical activity is important for maintaining good health.
"But the truth is, if you have a big night at the pub, you're not going to compensate with a workout the following day. Damage from regularly drinking too much can slowly creep up and you won't see it until it's too late."
GP and broadcaster Dr Carol Cooper is supporting the Know Your Limits campaign, and is worried people may think going for a run or a swim can simply undo any damage caused by over-indulgence in alcohol.
She said: "People need to be aware that regularly drinking double the recommended limits comes with health risks that can't simply be burnt off down the gym, in the pool, or on the football pitch."
Commenting on the survey Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance said: "While it is encouraging to see that people are recognising that heavy drinking is bad for their health, it is clear that the extent of the damage alcohol does to the body is not getting through to people.
"Regular exercise will not stop the onset of liver disease and other alcohol related illnesses if people continue to binge drink above safe limits."
Men who regularly drink more than eight units a day (about three pints of lager) and women who regularly drink more than six units a day (about two large glasses of wine) are considered by the NHS to be at 'higher risk' of harming their health.
Over ten million adults in England regularly exceed the recommended daily limits.