Alcohol

We’re all used to hearing stories nowadays about how a small amount of alcohol can be beneficial to our health.

Studies have shown it can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, particularly when you reach forty.

Drink more than the recommended daily allowance, however, and the health risks soon outweigh the benefits.

Heavy drinking can lead to a wide range of health problems, including cancer, liver disease, stroke and high blood pressure, as well as mental health and social problems.

How much can you drink without significant risk to your health?

Most men can drink up to three or four units of alcohol a day without worrying about the effects on their health.

Bear in mind though that alcohol can be high in calories. It is also a diuretic, which means it makes the body lose more water than usual, so when you drink alcohol make sure you alternate it with non-alcoholic drinks that will help replenish the fluids you lose.

What is a unit?

A unit is half a pint of standard strength (3 to 5% ABV) beer, lager or cider, or a pub measure of spirit. A glass of wine is about 2 units and alcopops are about 1.5 units.