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Moderate Alcohol
It is important to moderate your alcohol intake as drinking heavily:
- Increases your blood pressure
- Affects your cholesterol level
- Can make you gain weight
Binge drinking i.e. drinking large amounts over a short period of time, is particularly harmful.
Units of alcohol
In the UK a unit of alcohol is equivalent to 8g or 10mls of pure alcohol. The strength of alcohol is measured by the percentage of alcohol by volume (%ABV).
For example:
- There is 1 unit of alcohol in a single measure (25mls) of spirit of 37.5% vol
- There are 1.5 units of alcohol in one small glass (125mls) wine or champagne of 12% vol
- There is 1 unit of alcohol in half a pint of standard strength (3.5% vol) beer or lager
Some people still think that 1 drink = 1 unit. This is not true! Remember it is the strength and size of a drink that determines how many units it contains. You have to read the label to be accurate. Home measures are often more generous than those in a pub or restaurant. For example, a large 440ml bottle / can of strong beer (6.5%) has 3 units of alcohol in it.
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Recommended daily limit
The recommended daily limit for adults is measured in units of alcohol.
If you have heart disease or have had a stroke you should stick to the lower recommended limit.
| Recommended Maximum Alcohol Intake | ||
|---|---|---|
Per Day |
Per Week |
|
| Women | 2-3 units | 14-21 units |
| Men | 3-4 units | 21-28 units |
If you think that you have a problem, with the amount of alcohol you drink, speak (in confidence) with your doctor or contact Alcohol Focus Scotland.
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