Too much? Not sure: Countries differ greatly on drinking guidelines

There isn’t any global standard for how much alcohol consumption is considered low-risk or moderate, finds a recent study, suggesting that countries have very different and ‘confusing’ drinking standards.

There isn’t any global standard for how much alcohol consumption is considered low-risk or moderate, finds a recent study, suggesting that countries have very different and ‘confusing’ drinking standards.

The size of a standard drink varies by 250% around the world, from a low of 8g in Iceland and the United Kingdom to a high of 20g in Austria.(Shutterstock)

Researchers looked at 75 countries that might be expected to provide low-risk drinking guidelines and a definition of a ‘standard drink’. Only 37 countries did so and their guidelines and ‘standard drink’ definitions were surprisingly inconsistent.

The size of a standard drink varies by 250%, from a low of 8g in Iceland and the United Kingdom to a high of 20g in Austria. An 8g drink is equivalent to 250 ml of 4% beer, 76 ml of 13% wine or 25ml of 40% spirits.

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In the most conservative countries, low-risk consumption means drinking no more than 10g of pure ethanol per day for women, 20g for men.

Want to drink more? In Chile, you can drink 56g per day and still be a low-risk drinker.

Got a reason to celebrate? In Australia, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, and the UK, you are allowed to drink more on special occasions.

Tired of the old double standard? In Australia, Grenada, Portugal, and South Africa, low-risk drinking guidelines are the same for women and men. The UK joins that list with its new guidelines.

In the most conservative countries, low-risk consumption means drinking no more than 10g of pure ethanol per day for women, 20g for men. (Shutterstock)

Co-author Keith Humphreys says, “If you think your country should have a different definition of a standard drink or low-risk drinking, take heart - there’s probably another country that agrees with you.”

The World Health Organization defines a standard drink as 10g of pure ethanol, with both men and women advised not to exceed 2 standard drinks per day. Although the WHO’s definition of a standard drink is the one most often used, 50% of countries with drinking guidelines don’t use it.

The study is published by the scientific journal Addiction.

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