Draft Australian Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 3MB) - Eat For Health

volume. However in social situations serving sizes are greater than standard drinks – for example atypical glass of wine in Australia is 170mL [610] which contains close to two ‘standard’ drinks.For some groups, the contribution of alcohol to energy intake is significant. Median percentages ofcontribution of alcohol to energy intake for age and sex groups and the energy content ofcommon alcoholic drinks is included at Appendix 6. For example, if a man with average energyintake consumed four standard drinks of beer, this would account for 13–15% of his energy intake.The proportion of energy obtained from alcohol for those who consume it peaks at age 19–24 forwomen and 25–44 for men, and declines thereafter.If the consumption of other foods or drinks is reduced to adjust for the extra energy intake fromalcohol, over time this could lead to a deficiency of key nutrients. In view of the increasingprevalence of overweight and obesity, limiting alcohol intake is an important strategy for achievingenergy balance.3.4.2 The evidence for ‘limiting alcohol’The evidence statements and gradings (A- convincing association, B- probable association, C-suggestive association) from the Evidence Report (literature from years 2002 – 2009) arepresented in the table below. This does not include evidence from other sources, such as the 2003Dietary Guidelines (where evidence was classified as level I, II or III in which individual studieswere classified according to their design but overall grades for relationships were not derived),although these sources have been used to inform the Guidelines.Evidence StatementConsumption of alcohol regularly at an intake of 1 standard drink per day forwomen and 1.5-2 per day for men is associated with a reduced risk of CVDmorbidity and mortality.Consumption of alcohol regularly at an intake of 1 standard drink per day forwomen and 1.5-2 per day for men increases HDL cholesterol.Consumption of alcohol, even at low levels (10-15 g/d), is associated withincreased risk of breast cancer.Consumption of alcohol is associated with increased risk of cancer of theoesophagus.Consumption of alcohol, even at low levels (10g/day) of consumption, isassociated with an increased risk of colon cancer and rectal cancer.GradeBBBBCDRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines- December 2011 94