Moderation guidelines: How much is too much?
 Many factors, such as age, body mass index, ethnicity, family history, general health status and the use of medication, influence the definition of modern drinking guidelines. The speed of alcohol consumption and whether it is accompanied by food - as well as the amount and type of food - are conditions that influence the absorption of alcohol. Consequently, guidelines are likely to vary among population groups, as well as across countries and within them individually (Figure 2).
 As shown in Figure 2, the recommended levels vary in some countries, sometimes up to 2 or 3 fold. In addition, no consistency exists on the sizes of standard drinks across countries, which generally reflects differences in cultures and customs: the smallest drink is 8 g of alcohol in the UK and the largest is 19.75 g in Japan (WHO, 2004) (Figure 3).
However, based on available scientific evidence and different references provided by various public health authorities, it is accepted that low-risk moderate consumption ranges between the amounts set out in the guidelines below:
Guidelines for low risk moderate consumption:
- Up to 2 drink units a day for women
- Up to 3 drink units a day for men
- No more than 4 drink units on any one occasion
- Alcohol should be avoided in certain situations such as when pregnant, when taking certain medication or when working machinery
Low risk consumption is considered to be the amount of alcohol that an individual can safely consume without significantly increasing the risk of negative health and social effects (Dufour MC, 1999). This definition can be extended to include the amount of alcohol that an individual can safely consume to potentially experience or gain positive health effects in the longer term.
Importance of drinking patterns
It is not only drinking volumes, however, but also drinking patterns (i.e.: how people consume alcohol) and the circumstances under which alcohol is consumed which are important.
As scientific research indicates, the regular, moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is more beneficial and associated with a lower morbidity and mortality risk than binge drinking the same amount of alcohol for example, just on weekends (Tolstrup J.S. et al, 2004, Mukamal K.J. et al, 2003, Marques-Vidal P. et al, 2000, Rehm J et al, 2003, Baglietto L et al, 2006).
Who do the guidelines NOT apply to?
Moderate drinking guidelines do NOT apply
- to young people who have not reached physical maturity
- to pregnant women
- drivers
- those taking medication that does not combine well with alcohol
- individuals with a history of addiction or suffering from certain diseases
When in doubt, please consult your physician!
Respecting these guidelines, moderate wine consumption by adults – as part of a balanced diet – is compatible with a low risk, healthy lifestyle. Although some European cultures experience more alcohol-related problems than others, moderate drinking of this kind remains the norm.
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