Overview
What is alcohol?
Dosage information
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]
Research FeedRead all studies
In this meta-analysis of observational studies, the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) was higher in participants who consumed more alcohol.
Frequently asked questions
Can beer help with weight loss?
What are other names for Alcohol?
Update History
Research Breakdown
References
Examine Database References
- Cortisol - Välimäki MJ, Härkönen M, Eriksson CJ, Ylikahri RHSex hormones and adrenocortical steroids in men acutely intoxicated with ethanolAlcohol.(1984 Jan-Feb)
- Testosterone - Mendelson JH, Mello NK, Ellingboe JEffects of acute alcohol intake on pituitary-gonadal hormones in normal human malesJ Pharmacol Exp Ther.(1977 Sep)
- Testosterone - Sierksma A, Sarkola T, Eriksson CJ, van der Gaag MS, Grobbee DE, Hendriks HFEffect of moderate alcohol consumption on plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, and estradiol levels in middle-aged men and postmenopausal women: a diet-controlled intervention studyAlcohol Clin Exp Res.(2004 May)
- Growth Hormone - M Välimäki, J A Tuominen, I Huhtaniemi, R YlikahriThe pulsatile secretion of gonadotropins and growth hormone, and the biological activity of luteinizing hormone in men acutely intoxicated with ethanolAlcohol Clin Exp Res.(1990 Dec)
- Testosterone - Sarkola T, Fukunaga T, Mäkisalo H, Peter Eriksson CJAcute effect of alcohol on androgens in premenopausal womenAlcohol Alcohol.(2000 Jan)
- Testosterone - W R Phipps, S E Lukas, J H Mendelson, J Ellingboe, S L Palmieri, I SchiffAcute ethanol administration enhances plasma testosterone levels following gonadotropin stimulation in menPsychoneuroendocrinology.(1987)
- Testosterone - Sarkola T, Eriksson CJTestosterone increases in men after a low dose of alcoholAlcohol Clin Exp Res.(2003 Apr)
- Testosterone - Low plasma testosterone values in men during hangoverJournal of Steroid Biochemistry.()
- Adrenaline - Koziris LP, Kraemer WJ, Gordon SE, Incledon T, Knuttgen HGEffect of acute postexercise ethanol intoxication on the neuroendocrine response to resistance exerciseJ Appl Physiol.(2000 Jan)
- Power Output - Barnes MJ, Mundel T, Stannard SRThe effects of acute alcohol consumption on recovery from a simulated rugby matchJ Sports Sci.(2012)