Drinking alcohol
Regularly drinking over 14 units of alcohol weekly can harm your health, increasing the risk of illnesses like cancer, heart disease, liver damage, and mental health issues. New evidence challenges the idea that moderate drinking benefits the heart, with low-risk drinking now defined as up to 14 units spread over 3+ days. There’s no “safe” drinking level; the less you drink, the lower the risks. High-risk drinking also links to accidents, self-harm, and poor judgment, including unsafe sex or violence. To cut down, have drink-free days, drink slowly, pair alcohol with food, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks. Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should avoid alcohol entirely to minimize risks to the baby.
Regularly drinking over 14 units of alcohol weekly can harm your health, increasing the risk of illnesses like cancer, heart disease, liver damage, and mental health issues. New evidence challenges the idea that moderate drinking benefits the heart, with low-risk drinking now defined as up to 14 units spread over 3+ days. There’s no “safe” drinking level; the less you drink, the lower the risks. High-risk drinking also links to accidents, self-harm, and poor judgment, including unsafe sex or violence. To cut down, have drink-free days, drink slowly, pair alcohol with food, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks. Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should avoid alcohol entirely to minimize risks to the baby.