The old guidelines were written in the 1980s. The science has moved on.
Background
The alcohol guidelines most doctors grew up with were written in the 1980s, and they were generous, especially for men. The old rules allowed men to drink twice as much as women, based on how quickly men metabolize alcohol. New data on cancer, heart disease, and brain effects have prompted a rethink.
The new limits are:
- No more than one standard drink per day on average, and no more than three on any single day
- Two to three alcohol-free days each week to let the liver recover
- Drink slowly, and drink plenty of water alongside
A standard drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits, which all contain 14 grams of pure alcohol.
Staying within these limits would spare 20 out of every 1,000 people from cancer.
The risks don’t stop there. Drinking beyond these levels raises the odds of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and dementia. In men, heavy drinking raises estrogen, which over time causes breast tissue to grow and testes to shrink.
The limits are stricter for people over 65, those with medical conditions, and anyone with a history of alcohol addiction. If any of those apply, the safe upper limit for alcohol is closer to zero.
Better Mornings, Thinner Waists, Slower Aging
Cutting back on alcohol isn’t just about preventing disease. It also improves well being in the here and now, deepening sleep, lowering appetite, and slowing the aging process. Learn more.
—Chris Aiken, MD
Director, Psych Partners
Editor in Chief, Carlat Psychiatry Report
