Alcohol: how much is too much?

Tough question! The truth is, everyone is different. Your height, weight, sex, how much you’ve had to eat, how well you’ve slept and of course, what you’re drinking…they all influence how alcohol affects you, along with a host of other factors.

Most of us feel we know when we’ve overdone it, but drinking more than the recommended amount to keep you healthy is much easier than you might think. The amount you drink can creep up over time, and before you know it you can be having more than you’d really like – and more than is good for you.

Low risk drinking advice

The most recent ‘low risk’ guidelines issued by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers suggest it’s safest to drink no more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days and with a few days off. That’s the same for both men and women, and as a guide 14 units is six pints of lager or one and a half bottles of wine. That’s a very rough estimate though – the size and strength of your drink determines how many units it is. For example, a glass of wine can range from just over one unit to over three units!

How tolerant are you?

Alcohol tolerance also plays a part in the amount you think you’re drinking. Over time, people who drink regularly build up a tolerance to alcohol, so you notice the effects less. That means you might be well over the guideline amount without realising it, putting your health at risk. The idea behind the guidelines is that by drinking at low levels, you keep the risk of harming your health low too.