unit of alcohol

A large glass of red wine contains about three units of alcohol

In Britain a system of units of alcohol is employed for an approximate measure of the amount of alcohol in different drinks.

Formula

A unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10 millilitres (or approximately 8 grams) of pure ethanol, the active chemical ingredient in alcoholic beverages.

The number of units of alcohol in a drink can be determined by multiplying the volume of the drink (in millilitres) by its percentage ABV, and dividing by 1000.

Thus a pint (568ml) of beer at 4% ABV contains

Also, in the metric system of measuring, there is 1 unit in 1 litre of a 1% ABV drink.

Quantities

It is often misleadingly stated that a unit is simply a small glass of wine, or half a pint of beer, or single measure of spirits.^[1] Such statements are misleading because they do not indicate that strengths and/or measures of wines, beers and spirits are generally greater.^{[2] [3]}

• A small glass (125ml) of 8% ABV wine contains one unit, or 8 g (0.25 oz) of alcohol. However, British pubs and restaurants usually supply larger quantities (175 ml or 250 ml), and few wines are as weak as 8%. A typical pub measure (medium glass - 175 ml) of red wine (at 12%) contains around 2 units (actually 2.1) and a large glass (250 ml) contains exactly 3 units.

• A small glass (50ml) of sherry or fortified wine contains about one unit.

• A half pint (284ml) of ordinary strength (3.5-4% ABV) beer contains about one unit. However, some beers (especially lager) are stronger. In pubs, beers generally range from 4% to 5.5% ABV with continental lagers starting at around 5% ABV. A pint of such lager (568ml at 5.2% for example) is virtually 3 units of alcohol, a full 50% higher value than the 'traditionally held' view of 2 units per pint.

• A single pub measure (about 25ml) of a 40% ABV spirit contains one unit. However, a larger single measure of 35 ml is now often sold, resulting in the consumption of 1.4 units of alcohol.

• A smallish 125ml glass of red or white wine or half a pint of cider contains about one and a half units.

• Strong pale lager may contain as much as two units per half pint.

• A 440ml can of 'super-strength' lager (9% ABV) contains almost 4 units of alcohol.

• A 750ml standard bottle of 12% wine contains 9 units. Many wines (especially New World red wines) actually start at around 14%, which is 10.5 units of alcohol per bottle.

• A 500ml can/bottle of standard lager (5%) generally contains around 2.5 units.

Limits

Since 1995 the UK government has advised that regular consumption of between three and four units a day for men and between two and three units a day for women would not pose significant health risks, but that consistently drinking four or more units a day (men) or three or more units a day (women) is not advisable. Previously (from 1992 till 1995) the advice was that men should drink no more than 21 units per week, and women no more than 14. This was changed because a government study showed that many people were in effect "saving" up their units and "using" them at the end of the week. The difference between genders is given due to the (typically) lower weight and water-to-body-mass-ratio of women. A pregnant woman should only drink 1-2 units once or twice a week

See also

• Standard drink

References

1. ^ Alcohol and the athlete. BUPA. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
2. ^ Alcohol. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
3. ^ Alcohol. BBC - Health. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.

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