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What is Alcohol?
Alcohol is found within alcoholic drinks such as beer, spirits and wine. The UK government recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread across 3 days or more, with the advice to avoid consuming any alcohol during pregnancy. Repeatedly consuming more than 14 units per week could have a negative impact on health. Nowadays, there is a better understanding of the links between frequent alcohol consumption and certain illnesses, like some cancers. The advice in the past that drinking some alcohol was beneficial to heart health has been reconsidered, as the positive effect is not as strong as once thought.
What is the role of Alcohol?
Alcohol misuse can have a negative effect on both physical and mental health. The UK government recommends drinking less than 14 units of alcohol a week as this carries a lower risk of the potential negative effects; the only way to avoid this risk completely is to cut out all alcohol. Repeatedly consuming more than 14 units per week for many years could increase the risk of mouth, throat and breast cancer, stroke, heart and liver disease, brain and nervous system damage.
What contains Alcohol?
There are multiple different types of alcoholic drinks and products on the market. Drinks including ciders, lagers, ales, wine, spirits and liqueurs contain alcohol. The amount of units contained in an alcoholic drink is linked to its size and its strength. Each drinks can have a different alcohol percentage equating to different units per drink. See the further resources section for a link to an alcohol units calculator.
Further Resources:
- Tips on cutting down – NHS
- The risks of drinking too much – NHS
- Unit calculator | Alcohol Change UK
- How does alcohol affect men? Alcohol and men’s health
- How does alcohol affect women? Alcohol and women’s health
References:
National Health Service. Drink less. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less/#:~:text=Alcohol%20guidelines,risk%20of%20harming%20your%20health [Accessed 29 Aug 2024].
Public Health England (2016). Government Dietary Recommendations. Available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a749fece5274a44083b82d8/government_dietary_recommendations.pdf [Accessed 28 Aug 2024].
Written By:
Lucy Clarkson, SENR Nutritionist and Database Support, myfood24.