Vivian Marlowe
Drinking 14 units of alcohol a week is considered low-risk, but there is no safe drinking level. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) advises men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis to keep health risks at a low level. Fourteen units are roughly equivalent to six pints of lager or one and a half bottles of wine. Drinking more than the recommended limits increases the risk of cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and stroke. Even low levels of alcohol consumption have been associated with greater risks of hypertension, arrythmias, and cancers of the mouth, throat, and breast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended limit for men and women | 14 units a week |
| Equivalent to | 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine |
| 6 pints of 4% beer or 6 glasses (175ml) of 13% wine | |
| 6 glasses of wine or 6 bottles of beer | |
| 1.5 bottles of wine | |
| Risks of drinking more than the recommended limit | Cancer, liver disease, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, arrythmias, cancers of the mouth and throat, female breast cancer |
| Risks of drinking on most evenings | Sleep problems, dizziness, memory problems, damage to the liver, heart or brain |
| Risks of drinking while on medication | Nausea, vomiting, headaches |
| Risks of drinking while pregnant | Risk to the baby |
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What You'll Learn
- Drinking 14 units of alcohol weekly is considered low-risk, not safe
- units is roughly six pints of lager or 1.5 bottles of wine
- Drinking 14 units in one sitting is dangerous
- Drinking alcohol regularly can cause sleep, dizziness, memory issues, and liver, heart, and brain damage
- Alcohol consumption is not recommended for pregnant people or those taking medication
Drinking 14 units of alcohol weekly is considered low-risk, not safe
While drinking 14 units of alcohol weekly is considered low-risk, it is important to understand that there is no safe drinking level. The term "low-risk" is used instead of "safe" because alcohol consumption carries certain health risks. These risks can be kept at a low level by adhering to the recommended limit of 14 units per week and ensuring drinking is spread over three or more days.
The concept of alcohol units was introduced to help individuals monitor their drinking. A unit represents approximately 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol, which is typically the amount an average adult can process in an hour. Therefore, drinking more than 14 units per week can lead to a higher concentration of alcohol in the blood.
Exceeding the weekly limit of 14 units can have adverse effects on health. Research has linked regular drinking above this threshold to long-term illnesses, including cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and stroke. Additionally, high-risk alcohol consumption can negatively impact mental health and increase the risk of self-harm and suicide.
It is important to note that drinking 14 units weekly may still be considered low-risk, but it is not without potential consequences. To minimise risks, it is advisable to have several drink-free days each week and avoid "saving up" units for a single occasion. Additionally, drinking patterns should be considered, as heavy drinking episodes, even within the weekly limit, can increase health risks.
Individuals should also be mindful of personal circumstances when assessing their drinking habits. Factors such as medication, medical conditions, and family history can influence the impact of alcohol. Consulting with a healthcare professional can help individuals understand their specific risks and make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption.
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14 units is roughly six pints of lager or 1.5 bottles of wine
While there is no safe amount of alcohol, drinking no more than 14 units a week is considered low-risk for both men and women. Fourteen units are roughly equivalent to six pints of average-strength lager (4% ABV) or one and a half bottles of wine (13% ABV). This is based on the fact that a unit of alcohol is 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol, which is roughly the amount the average adult can process in an hour.
However, it is important to note that spreading your drinking over three or more days is recommended if you regularly drink this amount. Having one or two heavy drinking episodes a week increases your risks of death from long-term illness and from accidents and injuries. Additionally, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is safest not to drink any alcohol to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
It is also worth noting that even low levels of alcohol consumption have been associated with increased risks for hypertension, arrhythmias, and cancers of the mouth, throat, and female breast. Furthermore, drinking alcohol on most evenings can cause sleep problems, dizziness, or memory problems, and over time it can damage the liver, heart, or brain. Alcohol can also make some medical conditions worse and interact with certain medications. Therefore, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor or pharmacist about the safe limits for your individual circumstances.
To provide another perspective, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in the United States defines heavy drinking as consuming four or more drinks on any day or eight or more drinks per week for women and five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more drinks per week for men. However, it is important to remember that these amounts are daily limits rather than averages, and binge drinking is defined as consuming enough alcohol to bring a person's blood alcohol concentration to 0.08% or more.
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Drinking 14 units in one sitting is dangerous
While drinking 14 units of alcohol in a week is considered low-risk, drinking the same amount in one sitting is harmful to your health. Alcohol misuse occurs when one drinks in a way that is harmful or when one is dependent on alcohol. Drinking 14 units of alcohol in one sitting can be classified as binge drinking, which can have several negative consequences on one's health and well-being.
Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, which occurs when the body is overwhelmed by alcohol and cannot process it quickly enough. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, irregular heartbeat, and even death. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period can also impair judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, and violent behavior.
Regularly engaging in binge drinking can also lead to long-term health problems. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver, heart, and brain. It increases the risk of developing liver disease, heart disease, and stroke. Research has also found links between heavy drinking and various cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, and breast. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact mental health and has been linked to self-harm and suicide.
Furthermore, binge drinking can affect one's personal and professional life. It can lead to missed work or school, damaged relationships, financial problems, and social isolation. For those trying to conceive, drinking 14 units of alcohol in one sitting can negatively impact fertility. Excessive alcohol consumption can reduce sperm quality in men and increase the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in pregnant women.
It is important to note that the effects of alcohol vary from person to person, and some individuals may experience negative consequences from drinking smaller amounts. The less one drinks, the lower the health risks. Therefore, it is recommended to spread alcohol consumption over several days or weeks and include drink-free days to minimize potential harm.
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Drinking alcohol regularly can cause sleep, dizziness, memory issues, and liver, heart, and brain damage
While drinking 14 units of alcohol per week is considered low-risk, it is not entirely safe. There is no safe drinking level, and drinking alcohol regularly, even at low risk, can cause several health issues.
Sleep Issues
Alcohol is known to cause sleep disruptions and disorders like sleep apnea. It relaxes the tongue and throat muscles and alters the blood vessels in the nose, increasing airway resistance. This affects breathing during sleep and can cause frequent wakings. Alcohol also worsens sleep apnea, especially in people with central sleep apnea (CSA), where the brain periodically stops sending signals involved in breathing.
Dizziness and Memory Issues
Excess alcohol consumption can lead to vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, causing Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), a type of dementia. WKS results in short-term memory loss, unusual walking patterns, and confabulation (false memories). Alcohol also increases the risk of head injuries, which can cause lasting damage to the brain and affect memory.
Liver Damage
Alcohol misuse is a common cause of liver damage and is one of the leading causes of death in the UK. Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) occurs due to prolonged alcohol misuse, reducing the liver's ability to regenerate. Fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis are reversible if alcohol consumption is stopped, but severe alcoholic hepatitis can be life-threatening.
Heart Damage
Long-term heavy alcohol use can lead to alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy, damaging the heart and increasing the risk of heart failure and death. Alcohol has toxic effects on the body, and consistent heavy drinking strains protective processes, particularly in the liver. Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy may require a heart transplant for treatment.
Brain Damage
Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) occurs due to regular binge drinking or drinking much more than the recommended limit over several years. ARBD causes memory and thinking impairments and increases the risk of more severe brain damage. Stopping alcohol consumption and receiving support can lead to a partial or full recovery from ARBD.
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Alcohol consumption is not recommended for pregnant people or those taking medication
Consuming 14 units of alcohol per week is generally considered low-risk drinking. However, it is important to note that there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption, and the potential health risks associated with alcohol include cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and stroke.
While 14 units of alcohol per week may be considered a low-risk level for some individuals, it is strongly advised that certain groups, including pregnant people and those taking medication, refrain from alcohol consumption due to potential harmful effects.
For pregnant people, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the developing fetus. Alcohol passes through the placenta to the baby, and since the baby's liver is not fully developed, it cannot process alcohol effectively. This can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and long-term harm to the baby, including a serious condition called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The risk to the baby is likely to be greater the more alcohol is consumed, and there is no known safe amount or time for alcohol use during pregnancy. Therefore, the safest approach for pregnant people is to abstain from alcohol completely.
For individuals taking medication, combining alcohol with certain drugs can have dangerous and even deadly consequences. Alcohol can interact with various medications, including antidepressants, sedatives, anxiolytics, opioids, and benzodiazepines, leading to negative side effects and increased health risks. For example, alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and increase the risk of suicide. When mixed with sedatives or benzodiazepines, alcohol can impair memory formation and increase the risk of falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses. Additionally, alcohol can affect the metabolism of certain drugs, leading to higher plasma levels and prolonged elimination rates. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals taking medication to consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before consuming alcohol to ensure their safety and avoid potentially harmful interactions.
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Frequently asked questions
There is technically no "safe" drinking level, but to keep health risks from alcohol at a low level, men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.
Drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week is considered high-risk drinking and can lead to long-term illnesses such as cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and stroke. Research has also found strong links between alcohol misuse and self-harm, including suicide.
Fourteen units of alcohol are roughly equivalent to six pints of lager or one and a half bottles of wine.
If you want to cut down on your alcohol consumption, it is recommended to have several drink-free days each week and spread your drinking over three or more days. You can also try using an alcohol unit calculator to track your drinking and set limits for yourself.
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