How much is too much?

In order to answer that question, you  need to know how alcohol is measured.

The alcohol content of a drink is measured in units.  For example, a pint of bitter contains approximately 2 units of alcohol.  A glass of wine may contain 1.5 units but can be as much as 3, depending on the size of the glass and the strength of the wine.

In the UK, a unit is 10mls or 8g of pure alcohol.  The daily recommended amount is no more than 3 to 4 units a day for men and 2 to 3 units a day for women with, ideally, two to three alcohol free days a week.

Limits are lower for women because their bodies have a higher fat to water ratio than men.  This makes them less able to dilute the alcohol they consume.  In addition, pregnant women or women trying to conceive, should avoid alcohol altogether.  If they do choose to drink then they should not drink more than 1 or 2 units of alcohol a week to protect the baby.  They should never get drunk.  The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence advices that women avoid alcohol totally in the first three months of pregnancy to reduce the risk of miscarriage.

The Dangers

Alcohol is a dangerous drug.  Drinking too much too often will cause physical damage, increase the risk of developing some diseases and make current conditions much worse.  We  know that it increases the risk of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), high blood pressure, often leading to stroke and certain cancers, including mouth and throat cancer, but it can also cause brain damage, heart failure, epilepsy and vitamin deficiency.

In addition, drinking excessively has been linked to  obesity, fertility problems, muscle disease and skin problems.

The Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumed in moderation is thought to help reduce the risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).  Alcohol, specifically red wine, consumed in conjunction with a diet high in fruit and vegetables, olive oil and lean proteins may well explain what is considered to be the Mediterranean paradox: that although the people living in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean tend to consume relatively high amounts of fat, they have far lower rates of CHD than in countries like the UK and US where similar levels of fat consumption are found.

A study in 1992 found that the low death rates from CHD might be due to the relatively high consumption of red wine and olive oil in the Mediterranean as compared with the UK and America.

Although it is still not really clear how alcohol reduces the risk of CHD, what is known is that moderate alcohol intake raises LDL, often referred to as 'good' cholesterol.  LDL is thought to prevent arterial disease by taking cholesterol away from cells in our body and back to the liver where it is broken down.  Red wine, in particular,  contains flavanoids which act as antioxidents.  They help to reduce the build up of fat on the inner walls of arteries (atherosclerosis).

Did you know…

• Approximately 10 million people in the UK drink above the Government's recommended limits.
• Drinks with a darker colour give you worse hangovers.  Chemicals called congeners found in brandy, whisky and red wine, irritate blood vessels and brain tissue.
• Alcohol will make you gain weight.  By adding three or four gin and tonics to your daily diet, you could gain 4lbs in four weeks.
• Drinking water before you go to bed will help reduce dehydration, giving you less of a hangover, but it won't make you any less drunk or protect your liver from poisoning.

And finally,

• You are more than twice as likely to have an accident when driving, even if you are within the legal limit for alcohol in your blood.  This risk is up to five times greater if you are a less experienced driver or have only recently passed your diving test.

So, how much is too much?

The alcohol unit daily recommendations aren't just plucked from the sky.  They  are based on clinical research and case studies.  The Government recommend no more than 3 to 4 units a day for men and 2 to 3 for women with a couple of alcohol-free days thrown in too.   Its good advice - we should act on it.

The evidence is there.  Excessive drinking and binge drinking is bad for you.  On the other hand, moderate consumption of alcohol, in particular, red wine, can be beneficial to your health.