British women are experiencing a growth spurt - in their bras. Over the past decade the average bust size of women has gone from a 34B to a 36C and experts are weighing in on the issue. Though approximately 10,000 British women went under the knife for implants in 2007, many believe the change is due to reasons such as obesity, hormones, alcohol and environmental factors.

- Some women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to deal with menopause grow an entire cup size. A nutritionist believes the high levels of estrogen injected into the body during this treatment are responsible. However, HRT is also known to contribute to the risk of breast cancer, as any increase estrogen raises the liklihood of developing the disease.

- "False" hormones are also credited with the jump in breast size. Xeno-estrogens - chemicals from pesticides or plastics that imitate the effect of estrogen and are fat-soluble - are contained in everything ranging from food to cosmetics. Equally encouraging is the fact that scientists have not yet determined how dangerous these chemicals are. Potentially dangerous enough for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK to be concerned about the environmental impact of these artificial hormones. Marily Glenville, a nutritionist, points out how common the xeno-estrogens are.

"We are talking about a cocktail of toxins so it's hard to pinpoint what is going wrong. But many products, from lipsticks to tampons to spermicides, contain xeno-oestrogens - and we are applying them directly to our bodies. We know these chemicals will be having some impact on men, but on women it is more physically obvious."

- Despite the widespread use of xeno-estrogens, the problem of obesity is largely attributed to bigger breasts. About 50 per cent of adults in the UK are overweight and 20 per cent are considered obese.

- Alcohol could also play a part in the growing phenomenon. The sugars contained in drinks may contribute to unstable levels of estrogen, which can cause hormones to recirculate around the body if the liver cannot break them down.

- It isn't all bad news: Some believe the added curves are due to increased exercise and improving nutrition. If your boobs are getting bigger, but your stomach isn't, it doesn't necessarily mean the cause is something unhealthy.

So more alcohol equals bigger boobs and I don't have to schedule any kind of plastic surgery or deal with lumpy saline? I think I just found a legitimate reason to stop for a bottle of wine on my way home from work.

» Daily Mail