For convenience in calculating intakes of alcohol, a unit of alcohol is defined as 8 g (10 ml) of absolute alcohol.
A unit is a commonly utilized measure to quantify the alcohol content in a single alcoholic beverage. It is defined as 10 milliliters of pure alcohol. To determine the number of units in a drink, one multiplies the alcohol content of the beverage by its volume and then divides the result by 1000. As a general guideline, approximately half a pint (or a bottle) of beer, lager, or cider constitutes one unit, while a single measure of spirits (25 ml) also amounts to one unit. Furthermore, a small glass of wine is considered equivalent to one unit.
Different nations establish official recommendations regarding the maximum quantity of units that can be consumed in a day without posing a risk to health. In the United Kingdom, the Department of Health has outlined safe limits, suggesting that men should ideally consume no more than three to four units per day, while women should aim for no more than two to three units per day. Additionally, it is commonly advised to incorporate one or two alcohol-free days into the weekly routine.