Alcohol consumption recommendations
There is no global consensus on recommended maximum intake (or safe limits) of the drug alcohol.[1] The guidelines provided by health agencies of governments are varied and are shown below. These recommendations concerning maximum intake are distinct from any legal restrictions (e.g. driving after consuming alcohol) that may apply in those countries.
Caveats
The guidelines are general guidelines applying to a typical person. However, there are some people who should not consume alcohol, or limit their use to less than guideline amounts. These are:
- "People with chronic hepatitis C (or other forms of chronic hepatitis infection) who drink heavily [and exceed maximum recommended consumption levels] have poorer health outcomes than those who drink less." That is, they have poorer health outcomes than do those who drink within the guidelines.[2][3]
- Thin people — those below average body weight (60 kilograms (130 lb) for men, 50 kilograms (110 lb) for women)[4]
- People with a relative who has, or has had, a problem with alcohol. First-degree relatives are parents and siblings; second-degree relatives are grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.[2] These individuals "are urged to be careful about how much they drink."
- People with a mental health problem (such as anxiety or depression) or sleep disturbances [2][3] Individuals with a mental health problem "should take particular care to stay within the levels set in Guideline 1" (i.e. no more than 2 standard drinks a day).
- People taking medications or other drugs, if contraindicated,[2] "Numerous classes of prescription medications can interact with alcohol, including antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, non-narcotic pain medications and anti-inflammatory agents, opioids, and warfarin. In addition, many over-the-counter and herbal medications can cause negative effects when taken with alcohol."[5] Others include analgesics, aspirin, insulin, and oral contraceptives. "The list of medications that may interact with alcohol is so long that you should always consult a pharmacist or physician before drinking while using any medicine."[6]
- Older people because their bodies may be less able to handle the effects of alcohol.[2] Older people are urged "to consider drinking less than the levels set in Guideline 1" (i.e. no more than 2 standard drinks a day).
- Young adults (aged about 18–25 years) are urged to drink no more than 2 standard drinks a day.[2]
- Young people (up to about 18 years) "should not drink to become intoxicated."[2]
- People who are or have been dependent on other drugs[4]
- People who have a poor diet, or are under-nourished[4]
- People who have a family history of cancer or other risk factors for cancer[3] (see Alcohol and cancer for details of how alcohol affects the risk of various cancers)
- People who are told not to drink for legal, medical or other reasons[3]
- "People who choose not to drink alcohol should not be urged to drink to gain any potential health benefit, and should be supported in their decision not to drink. … Non-drinkers can use other strategies, such as regular exercise, giving up smoking, and a healthy diet, to gain protection against heart disease."[2]
The standard guidelines may be too high when:
- undertaking activities that involve risk or a degree of skill such as flying, scuba diving, water sports, ski-ing, using complex or heavy machinery or farm machinery, and driving.[2][3][4][7]
- suffering an acute or chronic physical disease such as heart and lung disease, influenza, diabetes, epilepsy or acute infections[4]
- recovering from an accident, injury or operation[4]
- taking sleeping pills or tranquillisers, anti-depressants or narcotics[4]
- responsible for the safety of others at work or at home[3]
Units and standard drinks
Countries express alcohol intake in units or standard drinks when recommending maximum alcohol intake. In increasing order of unit size a unit or standard drink is defined as:
| Country | Grams of pure alcohol | millilitres | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 6 | [8] | |
| United Kingdom | 8 | 10 | [9][10] |
| Iceland | 9.5 | [11] | |
| Netherlands | 9.9 | [10] | |
| Australia | 10 | 12.7 | [12] |
| Ireland | 10 | 12.7 | [13] |
| Italy | 10 | 12.7 | [citation needed] |
| New Zealand | 10 | 12.7 | [14] |
| Poland | 10 | 12.7 | [citation needed] |
| Spain | 10 | 12.7 | [citation needed] |
| Finland | 11 | [15] | |
| Denmark | 12 | [citation needed] | |
| France | 12 | [citation needed] | |
| South Africa | 12 | [citation needed] | |
| Canada | 13.6 | [3] | |
| Portugal | 14 | [15] | |
| United States | 14 (0.47 fl oz) | [15] | |
| Hungary | 17 | [citation needed] | |
| Japan | 19.75 | 25 | [citation needed] |
| Hong Kong | 10 | [16] |
Men
The standard drink size is given in brackets.
Daily maximum drinks (no weekly limits recommended)
- Australia: 2/day; 14/week (@10 g = 20 g/day, 140 g/week)[17][18] (New guidelines were adopted on 6 March 2009.[19])
- Austria: 24 g
- Czech Republic: 24 g
- Italy: 40 g (30 g for the elderly)[11]
- Japan: 1–2 (@19.75 g = 19.75–39.5 g)
- Netherlands: 3 (@9.9 g = 29.7 g)
- Portugal: 37 g[15]
- Spain: 3 (@10 g = 30 g) Also suggests a maximum of no more than twice this on any one occasion.[15]
- Sweden: 10 g for women and 20 g for men[20]
- Switzerland:2 (@10–12 g = 20–24 g)[21]
- United Kingdom: 3–4 units/day (@ 8g = 24-32g/day); Advice on weekly consumption is avoided[22]
Therefore, these countries recommend limits for men in the range 20–40 g per day.
Daily/weekly maximum drinks
These countries recommend a weekly limit, but intake on a particular day may be higher than one-seventh of the weekly amount.
- Canada: 2/day; 14/week (@13.6 g = 27.2 g/day, 190 g/week)[3]
- Hong Kong: 3–4/day; 21/week (glass of wine or a pint of beer)
- New Zealand: To reduce long-term health risks, 3/day (30 g/day); 15/week (150 g/week); At least two alcohol-free days every week[14] To reduce risk of injury per occasion: 5 standard drinks (50 g) on any single occasion.[14]
- USA: 1–2 units/day (14–28 g/day)(½-1 fl. oz./day), not to exceed 14 units/week (196 g/week)(6.5 fl. oz./wk)[21]
Therefore, these countries recommend limits for men in the range 27.2–32 g of ethanol per day and 168–210 g of ethanol per week.
Weekly maximum drinks
- Denmark: 168 g[23]
- Finland: 15 units (@11 g = 165 g/week)[15]
- Ireland: 21 units (@10 g = 210 g/week)
- United Kingdom: Advice on weekly consumption is avoided[22]
Women who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding
Women trying to become pregnant should look at the guidelines for pregnant women given in the next section.
Daily maximum drinks (no weekly limits recommended)
- Australia: 2/day; 14/week (@10 g = 20 g/day, 140 g/week)[17][18]
- Austria: 16 g
- Czech Republic: 16 g
- Italy: 30 g (25 g for elderly women)[11]
- Netherlands: 2 (@9.9 g = 19.8 g)
- Portugal: 18.5 g[15]
- Spain: 2 (@10 g = 20 g) Also suggests a maximum of no more than twice this on any one occasion.[15]
- Sweden: 20 g
- Switzerland: 2 (@10–12 g = 20–24 g)[21]
- United Kingdom: 2–3/day. Advice on weekly consumption is avoided[22]
Therefore, these countries recommend limits for women in the range 16–30 g per day.
Daily/weekly maximum drinks
These countries recommend a weekly limit, but your intake on a particular day may be higher than one-seventh of the weekly amount.
- Canada: 2/day; 9/week (@13.6 g = 27.2 g/day, 122.4 g/week)[3][24]
- Hong Kong: 2–3/day; 14/week (glass of wine or a pint of beer)
- New Zealand: To reduce long-term health risks - 2/day (20 g/day); 10/week (100 g/week); At least two alcohol-free days per week[14] To reduce risk of injury per occasion, 4 standard drinks (40 g) on any single occasion[14]
- USA: 1/day; 7/week (@14g = 14 g/day, 98 g/week)[21]
Therefore, these countries recommend limits for women in the range 14–27.2 g per day and 98–140 g per week.
Weekly maximum drinks
- Denmark 84 g[23]
- Finland: 10 units (@11 g = 110 g/week)[15]
- Ireland: 14 units (@10 g = 140 g/week)
- United Kingdom: Advice on weekly consumption is avoided[22]
Pregnant women
Excessive drinking in pregnancy is the cause of Fetal alcohol syndrome (BE: foetal alcohol syndrome), especially in the first eight to twelve weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women receive special advice. It is not known whether there is a safe minimum amount of alcohol consumption, although low levels of drinking are not known to be harmful.[25][26] As there may be some weeks between conception and confirmation of pregnancy, most countries recommend that women trying to become pregnant should follow the guidelines for pregnant women.
- Australia: Total abstinence during pregnancy and if planning a pregnancy[17][18]
- Canada: "Don't drink if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant."[3]
- France: Total abstinence[21]
- Iceland: Advise that pregnant women abstain from alcohol during pregnancy because no safe consumption level exists.[21]
- Israel: Total abstinence[21]
- The Netherlands: Abstinence[21]
- New Zealand: "Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid drinking alcohol."[27]
- Norway: Abstinence[21]
- UK: Previously, UK government advice was to avoid alcohol for first 3 months of pregnancy.[26][28][29][30] NICE guidelines (2007) stated, "If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should try to avoid alcohol completely in the first 3 months of pregnancy because there may be an increased risk of miscarriage. If you choose to drink while you are pregnant, you should drink no more than 1 or 2 UK units of alcohol once or twice a week. There is uncertainty about how much alcohol is safe to drink in pregnancy, but at this low level there is no evidence of any harm to the unborn baby. You should not get drunk or binge drink (drinking more than 7.5 UK units of alcohol on a single occasion) while you are pregnant because this can harm your unborn baby."[25] However the draft UK Health Department guidelines, released in January 2016 now advise to avoid alcohol altogether if pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
- US: Total abstinence during pregnancy and while planning to become pregnant[31]
In short, all countries listed above now recommend that women abstain from alcohol consumption if they are pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding women
"Alcohol passes to the baby in small amounts in breast milk. The milk will smell different to the baby and may affect their feeding, sleeping or digestion. The best advice is to avoid drinking shortly before a baby’s feed."[32] "Alcohol inhibits a mother’s let-down (the release of milk to the nipple). Studies have shown that babies take around 20% less milk if there’s alcohol present, so they’ll need to feed more often – although infants have been known to go on ‘nursing strike’, probably because of the altered taste of the milk."[33] "There is little research evidence available about the effect that [alcohol in breast milk] has on the baby, although practitioners report that, even at relatively low levels of drinking, it may reduce the amount of milk available and cause irritability, poor feeding and sleep disturbance in the infant. Given these concerns, a prudent approach is advised."[2]
- Australia: Total abstinence advised[17][18]
- Iceland: Total abstinence advised because no safe consumption level exists.
- New Zealand: Abstinence recommended, especially in the first month of breastfeeding so that sound breastfeeding patterns can be established.[27]
- United Kingdom: Total abstinence advised by some, such as the Royal College of Midwives; others advise to limit alcohol to occasional use in small amounts not exceeding the recommended maximums for non-breastfeeding woman as this is known to cause harm, and that daily or binge drinking be avoided.[33]
Minors
Countries have different recommendations concerning the administration of alcohol to minors by adults.
- United Kingdom: Children aged under 15 should never be given alcohol, even in small quantities. Children aged 15–17 should not be given alcohol on more than one day a week — and then only under supervision from carers or parents.[34][35][36]
See also
References
- ^ "Sussex uni finds "no consensus" on safe drink limits". Theargus.co.uk. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Australian Guidelines 2009, p. 39
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Centre for Addiction and Mental Health / Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
- ^ a b c d e f g Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) Low Risk Drinking
- ^ Weathermon R, Crabb DW (1999). "Alcohol and medication interactions" (PDF). Alcohol Res Health. 23 (1): 40–54. PMID 10890797.
- ^ Prevention Source BC Alcohol and Drug Interactions Winter 2000
- ^ Sheldrake, Sean; Pollock, Neal W. "Alcohol and Diving". In: Steller D, Lobel L, eds. Diving for Science 2012. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 31st Symposium. Dauphin Island, AL: AAUS; 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ ICAP What Is a “Standard Drink”? September 1998
- ^ PRODIGY Knowledge (Department of Health) Alcohol and Sensible Drinking
- ^ a b Key Facts and Issues International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP)
- ^ a b c Worldwide Recommendations on Alcohol Consumption Archived 2006-05-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Department of Health and Ageing The Australian Standard Drink
- ^ Hope, A. (2009). A Standard Drink in Ireland: What strength? (PDF). Health Service Executive. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) What's in a Standard Drink
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Drinking and You Drinking guidelines — units of alcohol
- ^ Department of Health Alcohol and Health: Hong Kong Situation
- ^ a b c d National Health and Medical Research Council 2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol
- ^ a b c d National Health and Medical Research Council 2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol: Frequently Asked Questions
- ^ "New alcohol guidelines say reduce drinking to reduce risk". Nhmrc.gov.au. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ [1] Archived 2013-01-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f g h i ICAP International Drinking Guidelines
- ^ a b c d Error in Webarchive template: Empty url.
- ^ a b Navn (påkrævet). "Sundhedsstyrelsen anbefaler at vi drikker mindre alkohol | Alkoholbehandling's Weblog". Alkoholbehandling.wordpress.com. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines (LRDG) (goes live September 2006)
- ^ a b NICE, Routine antenatal care for healthy pregnant women March 2007
- ^ a b BBC 'No alcohol in pregnancy' advised 25 May 2007
- ^ a b New Zealand Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
- ^ Department of Health Alcohol Advice
- ^ NHS Alcohol and pregnancy
- ^ Rosemary Bennett Zero – the new alcohol limit in pregnancy The Times 25 May 2007
- ^ 'USDA, Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, Chapter 9: Alcoholic Beverages
- ^ Alcohol and pregnancy
- ^ a b Alcohol and breastfeeding (2009) | Retrieved 23 May 2014
- ^ "Consultation on children, young people and alcohol". Dcsf.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ Parents back alcohol free childhood 17 December 2009
- ^ BBC 'No alcohol' urged for under-15s 29 January 2009
External links
- National Health and Medical Research Council (February 2009). Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. ISBN 1864963743.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - The Brilliant Breastfeeding Alcohol and Breastfeeding page describes pros and cons of drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.
