Drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week increases long-term health risks

UK guidance sets 14 units a week as a low-risk level for men and women, and experts say health risks rise gradually with higher drinking, with clearer links to cancer, liver disease and other conditions.

Many people regularly drink amounts that exceed the UK's recommended limit of 14 units a week. The 14-unit guideline was set in 2016 by health officials after a review of the evidence. It applies to both men and women and equals about six pints, a bottle and a half of wine, or 14 single measures of spirits. Experts report links between alcohol and several conditions, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia and liver cirrhosis. Key points: - The 2016 guideline recommends 14 units a week as a 'low-risk' level for both men and women. - The guideline was based on modelling that tied lifetime weekly consumption to roughly a one-in-100 risk of dying from an alcohol-related cause. - Experts say risk increases with each additional drink and rises more sharply at higher levels; one large study suggested drinking up to twice the guideline reduced average life expectancy by about six months. - Women face higher health risks than men at similar consumption levels, in part because alcohol remains higher in women's blood for longer. - Recent evidence has weakened the case for protective effects from small amounts of alcohol; modest benefits previously reported are now thought to have been overestimated. - Evidence is limited on whether having regular alcohol-free days provides clear health benefits for moderate drinkers. Summary: Experts describe the 14-unit recommendation as a simple, evidence-based reference point meaning 'low risk' rather than a sharp safety threshold, and they emphasise that risks rise gradually with greater consumption. The guideline was intended to communicate increased evidence of harm, while modelling and later studies show varying magnitudes of effect across individuals. Undetermined at this time.