Recommendations for consumption of the drug alcohol (also known formally as ethanol) vary from recommendations to be alcohol-free to daily or weekly drinking "low risk limits" or maximum intakes. Many governmental agencies and organizations have issued guidelines. These recommendations concerning maximum intake are distinct from any legal restrictions, for example countries with drunk driving laws or countries that have prohibited alcohol. To varying degrees, these recommendations are also distinct from the scientific evidence, such as the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol consumption. From a scientific and medical standpoint, the World Health Organization recommendation is teetotalism, with this being published in The Lancet in April 2023: "there is no safe amount [of alcohol] that does not affect health".
General recommendations
These guidelines apply to men and women who do not belong to populations with more specific advice.
Teetotalism advocacy by organization
The World Health Organization published a statement in The Lancet Public Health in April 2023 that "there is no safe amount that does not affect health". The World Heart Federation (recognized by the World Health Organization as its leading NGO partner) (2022) recommends against any alcohol intake for optimal heart health. The 2023 Nordic Nutrition Recommendations state "Since no safe limit for alcohol consumption can be provided, the recommendation in NNR2023 is that everyone should avoid drinking alcohol." The American Heart Association recommends that those who do not already consume alcoholic beverages should not start doing so because of the negative long-term effects of alcohol consumption.
Recommended alcohol intake limitations by country
Some governments set the same recommendation for both sexes, while others give separate limits. The guidelines give drink amounts in a variety of formats, such as standard drinks, fluid ounces, or milliliters, but have been converted to grams of ethanol for ease of comparison.
Approximately one-third of all countries advocate for complete alcohol abstinence, while all nations impose upper limits on alcohol consumption. Their daily limits range from 10-48 g per day for both men and women, and weekly limits range from 27-196 g/week for men and 27-140 g/week for women. The weekly limits are lower than the daily limits, meaning intake on a particular day may be higher than one-seventh of the weekly amount, but consumption on other days of the week should be lower. The limits for women are often but not always lower than those for men.
Country (or region) Teetotalism recommended Low risk Medium to risky drinking Heavy drinking Details Day Week Day Week Day Week Month Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Australia 40 g 100 g Reference. Austria 24 g 16 g Canada "Not drinking has benefits, such as better health, and better sleep." 40.35 g with no more than 5 drinking days per week per the federal government 26.9 g with no more than 5 drinking days per week per the federal government 27 g, CCSUA; 201.75g, federal government 27 g, CCSUA; 134.5g, federal government 53.8 g on special occasions per the federal government 40.35 g on special occasions per the federal government The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has a sliding scale of intakes.The scale states that at 27 g or less per week, "you are likely to avoid alcohol-related consequences for yourself or others". However, the Canadian Government has not officially adopted the Centre's recommendations and the 2011 guidelines remain federal policy. Czech Republic 24 g 16 g Denmark 48 g 120 g Reference. Finland 168 g 84 g Reference. Germany Alcoholic beverages pose health risks and ideally should be avoided completely. The German Centre for Addiction Issues recommends everyone to reduce alcohol consumption, regardless of the amounts consumed. Hong Kong 20 g 10 g Reference.Department of Health Action Plan to Reduce Alcohol-related Harm in Hong Kong September 2011 Iceland 32 g "Stop drinking before reaching five drinks on the same occasion". 1 standard drink in Iceland = 8 g ethanol. 8 g x 4 drinks = 32 g. Ireland 170 g 140 g Reference. Italy 24 g 12 g Reference.Alcol, zero o il meno possibile January 2022 Japan 40 g 20 g Reference. Netherlands Recommends an alcohol consumption level of zero grams. 10 g "The Health Council of the Netherlands included a guideline for alcohol consumption in the Dutch dietary guidelines 2015 (DDG-2015), which is as follows: 'Don't drink alcohol or no more than one glass daily'." "In the Netherlands, one regular glass of an alcoholic beverage contains approximately 10 grammes (12 millilitre) alcohol." New Zealand 30 g 20 g 150 g 100 g 50 g 40 g At least two alcohol-free days every week. 30 g for men, 20 g for women To reduce long-term health risksAlcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) What's in a Standard Drink 50 g for men, 40 g for women On any single occasion, to reduce risk of injury. Norway 20 g 10 g Reference. Poland 40 g 20 g Maximum 5 drinking days per week. Reference. Portugal 37 g 18.5 g Reference.Drinking and You Drinking guidelines — units of alcohol Spain 30 g 20 g Also suggests a maximum of no more than twice this on any one occasion. Sweden "Not possible to specify a limit for risk-free alcohol consumption." 48 g 120 g The National Board of Health and Welfare defines risky consumption as 10 (Swedish) standard drinks per week (120 g), and 4 standard drinks (48 g) or more per occasion, once per month or more often.Alcohol intervention is offered for people who exceed these recommendations. Switzerland 30 g 20–24 g Reference. United Kingdom "There's no completely safe level of drinking." 112 g a week, spread across 3 days or more. Reference. USA "People who do not drink should not start drinking for any reason." (DGA) "Adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink." (DGA) 14-28 g (1-2 US standard drinks) (DGA) 14 g (1 US standard drink) (DGA) 0.08% BAC (NIAAA), or 70 g (SAMHSA) 0.08% BAC (NIAAA), or 56 g (SAMHSA) 70 grams (5 US standard drinks) or more in a single day) (NIAAA) 56 grams (4 US standard drinks) or more in a single day) (NIAAA) 210 g (15 US standard drinks) (NIAAA) 112 g (8 US standard drinks) (NIAAA) Five binge drinking sessions, each involving 70 grams (5 US standard drinks) of alcohol (SAMHSA). Five binge drinking sessions, each involving 56 grams (4 US standard drinks) of alcohol (SAMHSA) References: CDC. NIAAA, SAMHSA. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Notes
By study
Emerging evidence suggests that "even drinking within the recommended limits may increase the overall risk of death from various causes, such as from several types of cancer". It is not clear that alcohol has any beneficial effects, as the better health outcomes that some studies reported may be due not to alcohol consumption itself but instead be caused by "other differences in behaviors or genetics between people who drink moderately and people who don't". At 20 g/day (1 large beer), the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is nearly 3 times higher than non-drinkers, and the risk of dying from an AUD is about 2 times higher than non-drinkers. One systematic analysis found that "The level of alcohol consumption that minimised harm across health outcomes was zero (95% UI 0·0–0·8) standard drinks per week". Supposing the apparent beneficial effects found in observational studies are genuine, these effects are maximized at relatively low levels of consumption, ranging from 1-18 g/day depending on age, location, and gender.
Specific populations
Pregnant women
Excessive drinking during pregnancy, especially in the first eight to twelve weeks, is associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders such as abnormal appearance and behavioral problems. Most guidelines state that no safe amount of alcohol consumption has been established and recommend that pregnant women abstain entirely from alcohol.NICE, Routine antenatal care for healthy pregnant women March 2007BBC 'No alcohol in pregnancy' advised 25 May 2007 As there may be some weeks between conception and confirmation of pregnancy, most guidelines also recommend that women trying or likely to become pregnant should avoid alcohol as well. Australia: Total abstinence during pregnancy and if planning a pregnancyNational Health and Medical Research Council 2020 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol National Health and Medical Research Council 2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol: Frequently Asked Questions Canada: "Don't drink if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant."Canadian Center on Substance Abuse Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines France: Total abstinence Hong Kong: "Abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy is the safest choice." Iceland: Advise that pregnant women abstain from alcohol during pregnancy because no safe consumption level exists. Israel: Women should avoid consuming alcohol before and during pregnancy The Netherlands: Abstinence New Zealand: "Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid drinking alcohol."New Zealand Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Norway: Abstinence Sweden: Abstinence. UK: Abstinence during pregnancy US: Total abstinence during pregnancy and while planning to become pregnant'USDA, Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, Chapter 9: Alcoholic Beverages
Breastfeeding women
Moderate alcohol consumption by breastfeeding mothers can significantly affect infants. Even one or two drinks, including beer, may reduce milk intake by 20 to 23%, leading to increased agitation and poor sleep patterns. Regular heavy drinking (more than two drinks daily) can shorten breastfeeding duration and cause issues in infants, such as excessive sedation, fluid retention, and hormonal imbalances. Additionally, higher alcohol consumption may negatively impact children's academic achievement.
Australia: Total abstinence advised Canada: "When breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest." Hong Kong: "Avoid alcohol and alcoholic drinks." Iceland: Total abstinence advised because no safe consumption level exists. New Zealand: Abstinence recommended, especially in the first month of breastfeeding so that sound breastfeeding patterns can be established. United Kingdom: Total abstinence advised by some, such as the Royal College of Midwives; others advise to limit alcohol to occasional use in small amounts not exceeding the recommended maximums for non-breastfeeding woman as this is known to cause harm, and that daily or binge drinking be avoided.
Minors
Countries have different recommendations concerning the administration of alcohol to minors by adults. United Kingdom: An alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest option. Children aged under 15 should never be given alcohol, even in small quantities. Children aged 15–17 should not be given alcohol on more than one day a week – and then only under supervision from carers or parents.Parents back alcohol free childhood 17 December 2009BBC 'No alcohol' urged for under-15s 29 January 2009
Singapore: A recurring message of the Get Your Sexy Back campaign is that consuming 5 or more units of alcohol (70 g pure ethanol) at a single sitting constitutes binge drinking.
Former alcoholics USA: According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, alcohol consumption is not recommended for certain individuals. Specifically, those who are in recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or struggle to limit their alcohol intake should abstain from drinking entirely.
Elderly Italy: 12 g/day for men over 65. Japan: Less than 29 g/day for the elderly (and women).
Caveats
Risk factors