Units are a way of comparing the amount of pure alcohol (ethanol). Alcohol consumption, as measured in units, was introduced in the 1980's.
One unit is 8 grammes of pure alcohol, which is equal to half a pint of normal strength beer / lager / cider, a standard glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits.
Prior to 1995 a weekly limit of 21 units for men and 14 units for women was recommended, but this has been abolished due to the health risk associated with binge drinking.
The latest guidelines recommend a maximum daily intake of alcohol of 3-4 units for men and 2-3 units for women.
The recommended units of alcohol for menopausal women and men over 40 are between 1-2 units per day. This amount is felt to be of a small benefit in terms of preventing coronary heart disease.
Post-menopausal women who drink and take hormone replacement therapy increase the circulation of oestrogen in the bloodstream. High circulating oestrogen levels are thought to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer.
Drink drive limits
The drink-drive limit presently stands at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, or about 5 units of alcohol for a man and 3 for a woman.
In 1997 the government were considering reducing the limit from 80mg to 50mg to bring the UK into line with Belgium, France, Holland and Portugal.
| Any consumption of alcohol can slow down reaction times. The only way a person can be sure that they are safe to drive is to not drink alcohol. |
19/05/2009