From the Guidelines
There is no completely safe amount of alcohol for daily consumption, and the safest approach is not to drink at all. For those who choose to drink, low-risk drinking guidelines suggest limiting intake to no more than 1 standard drink per day for women and no more than 2 standard drinks per day for men, with several alcohol-free days each week, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. A standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol). However, even these amounts carry some health risks, including increased risks of certain cancers, liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and dependency, as highlighted in various studies 1. Some individuals should avoid alcohol entirely, including pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions, people taking medications that interact with alcohol, those with a history of alcohol use disorder, and individuals under the legal drinking age. Key considerations for safe alcohol consumption include:
- Limiting daily intake to no more than 1 standard drink for women and 2 standard drinks for men
- Having several alcohol-free days each week
- Avoiding alcohol consumption in high-risk individuals
- Being aware of the potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption, even at low levels. It's essential to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life when considering alcohol consumption, and the most recent guidelines 1 emphasize the importance of responsible drinking habits.
From the Research
Safe Amount of Alcohol for Daily Consumption
The safe amount of alcohol for daily consumption is a topic of ongoing research and debate. According to recent studies, there is no straightforward answer to this question, as it depends on various factors such as age, sex, and individual health conditions.
- The study published in the Journal of Hepatology in 2025 2 suggests that determining a safe limit for alcohol consumption is challenging, and even relatively low consumption can be associated with health risks. However, the study proposes that consumption of one drink per session, with interspersed abstinent days, may not constitute a meaningful risk to health for persons without contributing negative influences.
- The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as reported in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2013 3, define moderate drinking as up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
- A study published in the NCHS data brief in 2020 4 defines heavy drinking as the average consumption of more than 7 drinks per week for women and more than 14 drinks per week for men.
- Research on alcohol consumption in the elderly, published in Clinics in Geriatric Medicine in 1992 5, suggests that moderate drinking for older adults is no more than one drink per day, and that low-dose alcohol may have some benefits, such as improving mood and appetite, but also poses risks, such as exacerbating cognitive impairment and interacting with medications.
- A study published in Addiction in 2010 6 found that alcohol intake of up to four standard drinks per day for men and two standard drinks per day for women was associated with lower mortality risk in people over the age of 65 years.
Key Findings
- There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of safe alcohol consumption, as individual factors such as age, sex, and health conditions play a significant role.
- Moderate drinking is generally defined as up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
- Heavy drinking is associated with increased health risks, including alcohol use disorders, liver disease, and certain cancers.
- Older adults may benefit from moderate alcohol consumption, but should be cautious of potential interactions with medications and exacerbation of cognitive impairment.