Three centuries of alcohol in the British diet

Abstract

Alcoholic drinks were consumed in larger quantities in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries than in the twentieth century, although there has been a recent increase from the historical low of 1930-60. Beer, spirits and wines once provided at least 2 MJ (nearly 500 kcal) per person per day compared with 0.67 MJ (160 kcal) in 1975, towards an average energy requirement of the total population little different from that needed now. Beer has always contributed most to the alcohol, energy and nutrient content of the diet, although its importance relative to spirits and wine has declined.

Recognition of alcoholic liver disease in a district general hospital.

“…As the pattern of alcohol consumption in a drinking population shows a logarithmic normal distribution (Rankin et al, 1975) the recent increase in per capita consumption in the United Kingdom (Spring and Buss, 1977) is likely to result in a disproportionate rise in the numbers at risk of developing alcoholic liver disease. Our experience suggests that identification of these patients will be aided by a high degree of suspicion (especially in women with undiagnosed gastrointestinal symptoms), investigation of any unexplained macrocytosis, and the greater use of GGTP estimations in the assessment of liver function.…”

“…As the mortality of established cirrhosis is high and alcohol consumption is increasing rapidly (Spring and Buss, 1977) the early recognition and treatment of alcoholic liver disease becomes particularly important in the United Kingdom at this time.…”

Alcohol as a key area.

“…Proliferative retinopathy, particularly in insulin dependent diabetes can cause blindness, and it makes diabetes the commonest cause of blindness in people under the age of 60 in Britain. 9 Patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes are particularly prone to develop maculopathy, again with serious impact on vision. There is also an increased risk of cataract.…”

National alcohol policy in Scotland

“…The first point is to note that there is nothing unique or unvarying about any nation's drinking habits: in common with other countries per capital, alcohol consumption and beverage choice have varied significantly over the centuries (Spring & Buss, 1977). For the first half of the 20th century Scotland had relatively restrictive laws governing the availability of alcohol.…”