Have you done dry January? If not, you’ve probably still heard of the campaign, and it may have got you thinking about how much you drink.
How much should you drink?
Government advice is to stick to no more than 14 units a week. This is equivalent to a 1.5 bottles of wine or 5 pints of export-type lager (5% abv) over the course of a week – this applies to both men and women. Try to spread your units evenly over three or more days. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to your baby to a minimum
The benefits of drinking less
Drinking less can help you sleep better, improve your skin and help you lose weight. Did you know there are 180 calories in a pint of beer and around 160 calories in a 175ml glass of wine?
The NHS website tells us that alcohol is linked with more than 60 health conditions, including liver disease, high blood pressure, depression and some cancers. In fact, alcohol is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability for people aged 15-49 in the UK. Cutting back on alcohol reduces your risk of developing these conditions.
Non-alcoholic alternatives
So what can you drink if you are off alcohol and bored with fruit juice or cola? People who’ve done dry January recommend Brewdog Nanny State beer, Seedlips Spice 94 non-alcoholic spirit and Belvoir Botanical Juniper & Tonic Pressé. Alternatively, one of our pharmacists recommends cranberry with bitter lemon poured on top, served with ice.
Emma Anderson, Evans Pharmacy