Formulation:

Pure ethanol (alcohol) is a liquid. Consumption is measured in units corresponding to a given amount of pure ethanol; the amount varies by country. In the United States, one unit (or “standard drink”) of alcohol is a drink containing 0.6 fluid ounces of ethanol (14 grams) — typically 12 oz (355 mL) of 5% alcohol by volume (ABV) beer, 5 oz (150 mL) of 12.5% ABV wine, or 1.5 fl oz (25 mL) of spirits with a 40% alcohol content (80 proof).^[1]

Dosages:

There is no amount of alcohol that it is advisable to consume. However, many people choose to drink moderately. “Light” and “moderate” drinking are not universally defined in the literature, but they fall between heavy drinking and abstinence from drinking (i.e., having no ethanol intake whatsoever).

The US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking as follows:^[2]

Heavy drinking (to be avoided)

Adult women: Either 8 or more units per week or 4 or more units in a single day

Adult men: Either 15 or more units per week or 5 or more units in a single day

Other Considerations:

Even moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer in a dose-dependent way, especially for women. The lifetime risk of alcohol-related cancer in women who consume less than one unit of alcohol per week is 16.5%; one unit per day, 19%; two units per day, 22%. In men, these numbers are 10% for those who consume less than one unit per week, 11% for those who consume one unit per day, and 13% for those who consume two units per day.^[3]