The World Health Organisation says there is no safe level of alcohol, because it is a toxin that can cause cancer and damage to organs such as the liver, pancreas and heart, even at low levels.
Researchers found that after having four or five drinks, youre at high risk of being either the cause or the victim of vehicle crashes, sexual or physical assault or murder.
Many people are willing to tolerate a little extra risk for the enjoyment of drinking but most dont fully appreciate how much risk they are taking on.
There are some simple fixes that can help get some of the most dangerous parts of our drinking problem under control.
In todays newsletter , Tanya Pampalone explains why there is no safe level of alcohol. Sign up for our newsletter today .
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It sounds macho, but theres science behind the idea that bigger men are better at holding their drink.
Size matters. A larger person absorbs more alcohol into their body tissue so that means that less goes to their brain, which is when you start to feel its effects.
Sex matters, too. It generally takes less alcohol for a female to get drunk than a male. This is due to a combination of factors . Women have lower body water content, which means the alcohol is more concentrated in their bodies. They also have fewer enzymes to help break down alcohol in the stomach, while their different hormones also can worsen intoxication. Other genetic factors, or the characteristics your parents pass down to you, also play a part in determining an individuals tolerance to alcohol.