For these guidelines, “a drink” means:

© Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse 2014. Developed on behalf of the National Alcohol Strategy Advisory Committee.

www.ccsa.ca

ColonCancer

LiverCirrhosis

Hyper-tension

Diabetes

IschemicStroke

The risks of drinking depend on

Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking GuidelinesReduce your long term health risks by drinking no more than:

DECREASEDRISK %

INCREASED RISK %

AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION

OVER THELONG TERM

CHRONIC ILLNESS

12

3–45–66+

12

3–45–66+

12

3–45–66+

12

3–45–66+

12

3–45–66+

CHRONIC ILLNESS AND ALCOHOL

The relationship between alcohol and chronic illnessis complex.

Following Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines can help support healthy lifestyles.

2 DRINKS/DAY 10/WEEKfor women

3 DRINKS/DAY15/WEEK

for men

If taking medication, check the warnings on

the packaging and talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if it is safe to drink

while being treated. Alcohol can make medicine less effective or too strong,

causing badreactions.

Beer 341 ml (12 oz.)

5% alcohol content

Wine 142 ml (5 oz.)

12% alcohol content

Cider/ Cooler

341 ml (12 oz.)

5% alcohol content

DistilledAlcohol

(rye, gin, rum, etc.)43 ml (1.5 oz.)

40% alcohol content

AGE GENDER HEALTH AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL

CONSUMPTION

FAMILY HISTORY

-200% 0% 200% 400% 600% 800% 1000% 1200% 1400% 1600%

MEN AND WOMEN (similar risk)

MENWOMEN

This chart shows how drinking alcoholmay increase or decrease the risk of developingcertain chronic illnesses for men and women.

While drinking may provide health benefits for certain groups of people, do NOT start to drink or

increase your drinking for health benefits.