Daily drinking guidelines describe ‘lower-risk’ limits for adults, not a safe or healthy target. Recommendations vary slightly between countries, yet they are based on the same scientific evidence: alcohol risk increases with every additional drink, and no level is risk-free.
United States: What counts as moderate drinking? #
In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define moderation as:
- Women: up to one drink per day
- Men: up to two drinks per day
These are not health recommendations or targets – they simply mark the point where long-term health risks start to increase more sharply. The CDC emphasises that many people should avoid alcohol entirely, including those with health conditions, those taking certain medications and anyone trying to reduce or stop drinking. Not drinking at all is the healthiest option
United Kingdom: Weekly limit instead of daily targets #
The UK takes a different approach. The National Health Service (NHS) recommends:
- Men and women: no more than 14 units per week, spread across several days
- Regular alcohol-free days are strongly advised.
One UK unit contains 8 grams of pure alcohol, meaning the weekly limit amounts to about 112 grams. Newer UK guidelines focus on cancer prevention, as risk rises in a linear fashion even at low levels.
How much alcohol is in a “standard drink”? #
USA and UK use different systems, but both aim to make alcohol content comparable.
- United States: one standard drink = 14 g of pure alcohol
- United Kingdom: one unit = 8 g of pure alcohol
Typical examples:
- a 12-ounce beer at 5% alcohol → 14 g
- 5 oz wine (12 percent) → 14 g
- 1.5 oz spirits (40 percent) → 14 g
In the UK:
- Half a pint of beer (4 percent) → 1 unit
- 175 ml wine (12 percent) → 2 units
- 25 ml spirits (40 percent) → 1 unit
Why drinking every day – even small amounts – increases long-term risk #
Even small daily amounts can add up. Research from the US, UK and the WHO shows:
- Higher risks for breast, colorectal and oral cancers
- Increased blood pressure
- Greater burden on liver and heart
- Greater risk of developing dependence
This is why many countries now recommend alcohol-free days and advise drinking less frequently rather than a small amount every day.
- United States: 1 standard drink = 14 g pure alcohol
- United Kingdom: 1 unit = 8 g pure alcohol
- Typical US examples
• 12 fl oz (355 ml) beer at 5 % ABV
• 5 fl oz (150 ml) wine at 12 % ABV
• 1.5 fl oz (44 ml) spirits at 40 % ABV - Typical UK examples
• 25 ml spirits (40 %) = 1 unit
• 175 ml wine (12–13 %) ≈ 2 units
• ½ pint (284 ml) beer/lager (4 %) ≈ 1 unit - Important: No amount of alcohol is completely risk-free.
These limits describe “lower-risk” guidelines, not a safe or healthy target.
Is a small glass of wine or beer every day healthy?
No. Current evidence shows there is no completely safe level of alcohol consumption. Health risks (especially cancer, heart disease and liver damage) increase with every single drink — even at very low levels.
One standard drink in the US contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. Typical examples:What counts as one standard drink in the United States?
• 12 fl oz (355 ml) regular beer (5 % ABV)
• 5 fl oz (150 ml) wine (12 % ABV)
• 1.5 fl oz (44 ml) distilled spirits (40 % ABV)
14 UK units = 112 grams of pure alcohol.How much alcohol is 14 UK units?
This is the current UK low-risk weekly guideline for both men and women (best spread over 3 or more days).
The underlying science is identical in both countries, but the unit systems developed historically.Why do the US and UK use different measuring systems?
US “standard drinks” (14 g) and UK “units” (8 g) both exist for the same reason: to help people more easily track and compare how much pure alcohol they’re actually drinking.
Bernd Guzek, MD, PhD #
Physician, author & co-founder of Bye-Bye-Booze
Specialized in biochemical mechanisms of addiction and brain metabolism.
