The verdict of Dr Kari Poikolainen is going to stir a lot of debate. The former World Health Organisation alcohol expert has analysed decades of research into the effects of alcohol on the human body, and his conclusion is quite different than mainstream opinions.

That is, drinking is only harmful when you consume more than 13 units a day - that’s four to five pints of beer or more than a bottle of wine, that typically contains around 10 units. Alcohol opponents may find even more disturbing his idea that drinking more than the current recommended daily intake may in fact be healthier than being a teetotaler.

“The weight of the evidence shows moderate drinking is better than abstaining and heavy drinking is worse than abstaining – however the moderate amounts can be higher than the guidelines say,” Dr Poikolainen reportedly told to the media.

But Julia Manning from think-tank 2020 Health, said that “This is an unhelpful contribution to the debate. It makes grand claims which we don’t see evidence for. Alcohol is a toxin, the risks outweigh the benefits”.