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British expats in Spain urged to cut back on alcohol
| Published: | 18 Feb at 6 PM |
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British expats in Spain are being encouraged to cut down on the booze!
Following an initiative by the UK’s national health authority, a recent survey showed 66 per cent of respondents claim giving up drinking is far harder than starting an exercise regime or eating a healthier diet. The new campaign includes the ‘Drink Free Days’ app which encourages heavy drinkers to spend one day without alcohol as well as laying out the benefits of stopping drinking altogether.
The message as well as the app has now spread to Spain, a favourite retirement destination for Britons, and is even catching on amongst locals, although the Spanish relationship with the demon drink is a far more important part of the culture of social acceptance than it is in the UK. Some believe it’s high time Spaniards as well as expats are encouraged to look seriously at their consumption of alcohol in order to review its risky connection with local customs.
For those of both cultures who need convincing, researchers at London’s University College are advising on the benefits of either controlled or no drinking. Improved sleep patterns, losing unhealthy weight, reducing the risk of liver problems, high blood pressure and even cancer are all positives of cutting back or stopping alcohol consumption, especially for those between the ages of 45 and 65 years. According to the Spanish health ministry, over four million residents in Spain are unknowingly suffering from hypertension.
However, those who make the decision to cut down or cut out alcohol from their lifestyles should be advised to be patient, as the human body takes a while to see positive effects, even if abstinence is the choice rather than just drinking less. Nowadays, research into the harmful effects of alcohol is turning to the opinion that there’s no safe limit as regards the body’s tolerance of what is essentially a diluted poison able to cause extreme ill health and eventually death.
Following an initiative by the UK’s national health authority, a recent survey showed 66 per cent of respondents claim giving up drinking is far harder than starting an exercise regime or eating a healthier diet. The new campaign includes the ‘Drink Free Days’ app which encourages heavy drinkers to spend one day without alcohol as well as laying out the benefits of stopping drinking altogether.
The message as well as the app has now spread to Spain, a favourite retirement destination for Britons, and is even catching on amongst locals, although the Spanish relationship with the demon drink is a far more important part of the culture of social acceptance than it is in the UK. Some believe it’s high time Spaniards as well as expats are encouraged to look seriously at their consumption of alcohol in order to review its risky connection with local customs.
For those of both cultures who need convincing, researchers at London’s University College are advising on the benefits of either controlled or no drinking. Improved sleep patterns, losing unhealthy weight, reducing the risk of liver problems, high blood pressure and even cancer are all positives of cutting back or stopping alcohol consumption, especially for those between the ages of 45 and 65 years. According to the Spanish health ministry, over four million residents in Spain are unknowingly suffering from hypertension.
However, those who make the decision to cut down or cut out alcohol from their lifestyles should be advised to be patient, as the human body takes a while to see positive effects, even if abstinence is the choice rather than just drinking less. Nowadays, research into the harmful effects of alcohol is turning to the opinion that there’s no safe limit as regards the body’s tolerance of what is essentially a diluted poison able to cause extreme ill health and eventually death.
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