Overview
- The NHS advises adults not to regularly exceed 14 units a week and to spread any drinking over three or more days with several drink‑free days if cutting down.
- Officials emphasize that ‘low risk’ is not ‘safe’ and say earlier claims of heart protection from moderate drinking are now less supported by evidence.
- Regularly drinking above the guideline over many years increases the risk of mouth, throat and breast cancers, stroke, heart and liver disease, and damage to the brain and nervous system, with links to poorer mental health.
- For single drinking sessions, the NHS warns of higher risks of injury, misjudging situations and loss of self‑control, and advises pacing drinks, eating food and alternating with water.
- One unit equals 10ml (8g) of pure alcohol and about 14 units equates to six pints of average‑strength beer or six medium glasses of wine, while smaller servings and lower‑ABV choices can help reduce intake.