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Author: Peter Cutforth

  • Drinking Moderately Over the Summer Holidays

    The Summer holidays are what we wait all year for but many people have a tendency to over-indulge especially when it comes to alcohol consumption.

    Schoolies is one of those days when things get really out of hand.

    While many young people are shunning alcohol at rates never before seen in the country, due to health, economic and social reasons, others such as the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers are drinking at dangerous levels, placing their health and safety at risk.

    Among young people, irresponsible and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to injury, death or damage to your health in the long run.For example alcohol has been blamed for more than 200 disease conditions among older adults, including cancer and heart disease.

    Guidelines suggest no more than 2 standard drinks per day and no more than 10 a week. It is also recommended that we have at least 2 days per week when we do not drink.

    This summer, remember to stick to these guidelines and always drink responsibly.

    Source: https://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/story/5728319/take-it-easy-with-the-booze-this-summer/?cs=13479

  • Don’t Try Freezing Your Vodka

    Apparently freezing your vodka isn’t such a good idea after all.

    While we’ve been placing our vodka in the freezer for years, an expert now says putting your vodka in the freezer only dulls its flavour.

    Grey Goose creator Francois Thibault, sticking vodka in the freezer is the number one mistake people make with vodka. He suggests adding ice to it instead to achieve the ideal temperature between 0-4c.

    Source: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/drink/according-to-experts-you-should-never-store-your-vodka-in-the-freezer/news-story/3765d7b6c9f538213f2f80fd537778b1

  • NT Police Seize and Destroy Huge Amounts of Alcohol

    Police say criminals are making huge profits by purchasing large amounts of alcohol and then selling them in remote communities for exorbitantly high prices.

    Police are targeting the supply of alcohol in these communities where it’s been banned to help make an impact on alcohol related harm.

    In one bust in Katherine in August, police from Central Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk, Central Traffic Operations and Dog Operations Unit seized almost 500 litres of alcohol believed to be destined for dry communities.

    Last week they seized 82 litres of alcohol at Mataranka and in June a police blitz resulted in the seizure of 289 litres.

  • Moderate Drinking the Drinks Buzzword for Generation Z

    According to reports, Australians are drinking less alcohol than they have at any time over the past 50 years because many are becoming more conscious of their health, fitness and well-being.

    This shift has prompted a re-think of the product development departments of major alcoholic beverages companies particularly given that millenials have become so accustomed to phrase “moderate drinking”.

    Read the article at https://www.afr.com/business/retail/fmcg/moderation-the-new-drinks-buzzword-in-generation-z-alcohol-consumption-20181002-h164qf

  • Pub Under Investigation for Allegedly Supplying Alcohol to Minors

    A Clifton bar is facing possible fines of as much as $10,000 under the Liquor Licensing Act after it was alleged that the company supplied alcohol to an underage boy.

    Police say they received tip-offs that the venue may be supplying alcohol to children. Police as a result increased walk-throughs and inspections of licenced premises in the town and on a Saturday night discovered that a 16 year old teenager was drinking freely. The boy was found intoxicated at the bar of the licensed venue.

    The boy was taken into police custody and dropped off at his parent’s home where he was delivered into their care.

    The venue is facing severe penalties including hefty fines.

    Staff of licensed venues must always ask for photo identification, especially before serving younger patrons who look under 25, to ensure they are over 18 – the legal drinking age in Australia. Read more about Responsible Service of Alcohol training.

    Read more at https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/pub-investigated-for-allegedly-supplying-alcohol-t/3573876/

  • Study Claims Alcohol Dangerous for Diabetics

    A recent study found an alarming correlation between people who have diabetes and suicide – in relation to alcohol consumption.
    Researchers discovered that mental health problems associated with diabetes may lead to a higher risk of death by suicide in people with this condition.
    The research was conducted by academics at the University of Helsinki and Tampere University in Finland, investigating the relationship between diabetes and the risk of death due to factors such as alcohol. 

    They found that both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes increased people’s risk of cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, cancer and kidney disease.These health conditions can all lead to premature death.

    Find out more at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323334.php

  • Darwin Mayor Says Floor Price Won’t Help

    The alcohol floor price introduced in the Northern Territory has been controversial but the latest voice to add to the criticism is Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis.

    The mayor says the alcohol floor price won’t work because true alcoholics will pay any price at all to get their fix, this comes after NT Consumer Affairs warned that alcohol prices in the state could be rising well beyond floor price legislation.

    Legislation as of October 1, raised the minimum price of a standard drink to $1.30. The mayor however is skeptical of the ability of the legislation to have a positive impact on public drunkenness.

    See more at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-15/alcohol-floor-price-should-be-reviewed-darwin-lord-mayor-says/10376990

  • The Real Effects of Alcohol on Your Skin

    The party season is almost upon us which means we can expect to indulge in alcohol more often than normal. This can cause havoc on your skin, unless you are prepared.

    Unfortunately experts say alcohol is one of the worst things for your skin and excessive consumption also has an effect on liver function, immunity, hormones, cells and insulin. Obviously all these can impact your skin. Take into consideration that alcohol is also a diuretic which means that it can empty your skin of water, leaving it with a dull, dehydrated appearance.

    The obvious solution would be to stay super hydrated by drinking plenty of water and alternating one alcoholic drink with one glass of water. It’s also important to drink moderately and stick to recommended daily limits.

    Read more https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/a40482/effects-alcohol-on-skin/

  • Study Finds Over 50s Misusing Alcohol More

    Research presented at an international alcohol conference recently claims that adults over the age of 50 in Australia and New Zealand are increasingly drinking at hazardous levels and requiring hospitalisation.

    The researchers from Massey University, the University of Auckland and the University of New South Wales found that now it’s vital for aged-care workers and doctors to identify alcohol misuse in older people, and the long term impacts on cognition.

    The number of older people needing treatment for alcohol-use disorders is predicted to increase in the near future, so now is the time to improve our response, Professor Michael Farrell, the director of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Sydney explained.

    Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/06/alcohol-misuse-by-over-50s-on-rise-in-australia-and-new-zealand-study-finds

  • A Patch That Can Help You Control The Physical Effect of Drinking

    A new patch can help you with the embarrassing problem of glowing like a lamp when you drink.

    Often referred to as ‘Asian glow’, the condition is a result of a deficiency in the ALDH2 enzyme. This is the enzyme that neutralises alcohol in your system.

    The patch helps to prevent the bright red face often caused by this deficiency. The patch apparently contains the antioxidant glutathione that sticks to the toxin acetaldehyde that is commonly found in alcohol. The toxin is turned into a harmless acetate.

    It also claims to support liver enzyme activity by supplementing the body with vitamins that are vital to their performance including N-Acetyl Cysteine, B-vitamins (B1, B5, B6, and B9), and Alpha-Lipoic Acid.