Fit For Food

1. What level of alcohol are you?

2. Effects of alcohol on our body

3. Treatment against alcohol

What level of alcohol are you?

1. Lower risk level – NHS recommendation is:

• Men not more than 3-4 units a day.
• Women not more than 2-3 units a day.

However, drinking consistently within these limits is called ‘lower-risk’, rather than ‘safe’, because drinking alcohol is never completely safe.

People who drink should aim to be in the lower-risk category to minimise the health risks.

Even drinking below these levels will not be advisable in some circumstances.

2. Increased-risk level is:

• Men between 3-4 units and 8 units a day.
• Women between 2-3 units and 6 units a day.

If you’re drinking at around these levels, your risk of developing a serious illness is higher compared to non-drinkers

Risks at this level:

1. Men are 1.8 to 2.5 times as likely to get cancer of the mouth, neck and throat; women are 1.2 to 1.7 times as likely.
2. Women are 1.2 times as likely to get breast cancer.
3. Men are twice as likely to develop liver cirrhosis, and women 1.7 times as likely.
4. Men are 1.8 times as likely to develop high blood pressure, and women are 1.3 times as likely.

At these drinking levels, you might already be suffering from alcohol-related problems, such as fatigue or depression, weight gain, poor sleep and sexual problems.

Whatever your age or sex, you’re probably in worse physical shape than you would be otherwise. Also, you could easily be suffering from higher blood pressure due to your drinking.

Some people argue a lot when they’re drinking, which can negatively affect their relationships with family and friends.

3. Higher risk level is:

• Men more than 8 units a day or more than 50 units a week
• Women more than 6 units a day or more than 35 units a week

Alcohol affects the whole body, and it can play a role in numerous medical conditions. You’re at a much higher risk of developing alcohol-related health problems. Your body has probably suffered some damage already, even if you’re not yet aware of it.

Risks at this level:

1. you could be 3-5 times more likely to get cancer of the mouth, neck and throat
2. you could be 3-10 times more likely to develop liver cirrhosis
3. men could have four times the risk of having high blood pressure, and women are at least twice as likely to develop it
4. you could be twice as likely to suffer from an irregular heartbeat
5. women are around 50% more likely to get breast cancer

What’s a unit?

• Pint of 4% lager: 2.3 units
• 175ml glass of 13% wine: 2.3 units
• 25ml glass of 40% single spirit and mixer: 1 unit

Units are a standard way to indicate the alcohol content of any given drink. To get an idea of how many units you drink, use the Unit calculator.

Effects of alcohol on our body

Treatment against alcohol

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