Alcohol The news is always full of stories about the increasing amounts of alcohol consumed by women in the UK, but what does this mean for our health? And what exactly is a safe amount to drink?

In this article

Recommended limits

The risks

During pregnancy

Drinking in moderation isn't likely to be harmful; in fact, many studies suggest it may even be beneficial.

Alcohol is a poison that damages many of the body’s cells

But the more you drink, the greater your risk of serious health problems. The greatest risk of harm seems to come from binge episodes, where more than 3-4 units (sometimes much, much more) are consumed in rapid succession leading to very high levels of alcohol in the blood. Alcohol is a poison that damages many of the body’s cells.

According to Government guidelines, women should drink no more than two to three units of alcohol a day, and should aim to have at least one alcohol-free day each week.

These limits are lower than those for men, because women metabolise alcohol differently - alcohol remains in their body for longer and has greater potential for damage.

The risks associated with drinking more than the recommended amount include:

• Liver damage (eg, cirrhosis)
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Throat cancer
• Kidney damage
• Being involved in accidents and violence

A glass of dry white wine can contain more than 100 calories

It's also worth noting that while alcohol doesn't contain fat, it's high in calories. A glass of dry white wine can contain more than 100 calories.

Alcohol drunk during pregnancy can cross the placenta and reach the foetus, although it's not clear exactly how much is harmful. For this reason, some experts recommend you avoid alcohol altogether while pregnant; others say one or two units once or twice a week, up to a total of four units a week, shouldn't cause any harm.

Get more information about pregnancy from BBC Parenting.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in August 2007.