Too much booze and you lose

As football fever grips the nation, health chiefs are warning of the dangers of binge drinking during the World Cup.

The tournament kicks off tomorrow and most people will enjoy a few beers during England’s first game against America on Saturday.

But the World Cup is associated with an increase in alcohol-related crime, accidents, domestic conflict and violence.

Health chiefs are advising fans to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.

The Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has issued a top-10 checklist to keep everyone safe and healthy during the tournament. 

1. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re prescribed medication as it can be risky to drink alcohol when undergoing certain types of treatment.
2. Get familiar with the alcohol units system as this is the best way to work out how much you’re drinking.
3. Pace your drinks. Try to limit yourself to one drink at kick-off, another at half-time and one more when the game ends.
4. Make sure that that your drinks don’t get spiked.
5. Make sure you drink enough non-alcoholic fluids to reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated especially when the weather’s hot.
6. Get to know your drinking limit and stick to it.
7. Make sure you’ve got a safe way to get home if you watch games in a pub or club.
8. Fit a smoke alarm and check it’s working properly — especially if you smoke.
9. Remember that a hangover can increase the risk of workplace accidents and mistakes as it can impair your reaction time and concentration.
10. Accept that you don’t need to drink alcohol to appreciate a game of football. With a clear head you might actually enjoy the technical skills and tactics a lot more.