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Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
Recommendations to Reduce Harm from Alcohol Consumption
International Guidelines
- World Health Organization (WHO, 2018; 2022)
The healthiest option is to avoid alcohol altogether. However, if individuals choose to drink, alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum. - U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025
- Men: Up to 2 standard drinks per day
- Women: Up to 1 standard drink per day
- One standard drink in the U.S. contains 14 grams of pure ethanol, equivalent to:
- 350 ml of beer
- 150 ml of wine
- 45 ml of distilled spirits
(USDA & HHS, 2020)
- UK Chief Medical Officers’ Guidelines (2016)
- Both men and women should consume no more than 14 units per week (approximately 112 grams of ethanol)
- Alcohol intake should be spread over at least 3 days per week
- Regular alcohol-free days are recommended.
Important Considerations
- There is no safe level of alcohol consumption for children and adolescents.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid alcohol completely.
- Individuals with chronic medical conditions (such as liver, kidney, heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes), or those taking certain medications, should avoid alcohol.
- Binge drinking — defined as more than 4 drinks per occasion for women or more than 5 drinks per occasion for men — significantly increases the risk of accidents and serious health problems.
Summary
If you choose to drink, follow the principle of:
“Drink as little as possible.”
- Limit intake to no more than 1–2 standard drinks per day
- Avoid drinking every day
- Have at least 2 alcohol-free days per week
- Avoid heavy or binge drinking
