Alcohol

We briefly mentioned alcohol earlier when we discussed nutrition. We know that alcohol is a nutrient, but it is also a powerful and potentially dangerous mood altering drug.

Many health problems are as a direct result of over consumption of alcohol, such as liver disease and some head and neck cancers. Other health problems have a strong association with excess alcohol use, such as heart disease.

This is the reason that there are guidelines that suggest safe limits. These guidelines have been revised and changed recently. The guidelines for alcohol consumption are the same when you have Diabetes as for the rest of the UK population.

Men and women should consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, 2-3 units per day and should aim for two alcohol free days per week.

What is a unit of alcohol?

You can calculate the number of units in your drink by applying the following formula:

ABV x volume of alcohol (ml) รท 100

Examples of units in standard measures:

Pint of lagger

Pint of lager
4% ABV
2.3 units

Pint of bitter

Pint of bitter
5% ABV
2.8 units

Pint of strong beer/lager/cider

Pint of strong beer/lager/cider
5.2% ABV
3 units

500ml Can of lager

500ml Can of lager
3.8% ABV
1.9 units

750ml Bottle of wine

750ml Bottle of wine
13.5% ABV
10 units

175ml Glass of red or white wine

175ml Glass of red or white wine
13% ABV
2.3 units

250ml Glass of red or white wine

250ml Glass of red or white wine
13% ABV
3.3 units

50ml Glass of fortified wine

50ml Glass of fortified wine
20% ABV
1 unit

25ml Single spirit and mixer

25ml Single spirit and mixer
40% ABV
1 unit

50ml Double spirit and mixer

50ml Double spirit and mixer
40% ABV
2 units

275ml Bottle of alcopop

275ml Bottle of alcopop
5% ABV
1.4 units

50ml Double Irish cream liqueur

50ml Double Irish cream liqueur
20% ABV
1 unit

Pure alcohol contains 7 calories per ml and therefore can contribute to weight gain. Some alcoholic drinks have a high sugar content such as fortified wine, sweet wine, stout, ale flavoured with honey, alcopops, flavoured ciders and liqueurs which may lead to further weight gain and should be consumed in moderation.

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