Alcohol Units
Definition
The definition of 'a unit of alcohol' differs depending on which country is being talked about. For example:
United Kingdom
One unit of alcohol is defined as containing 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol; the amount of alcohol the average adult can process within an hour[1]. This equates to:
- 1 unit per percentage point abv in one litre of drink
- Approximately a half (imperial) pint (284ml) of 3.5% abv drink (0.994 units)
- 83.¯3ml of 12% abv wine (175ml=2.1 units, 250ml=3 units)
- 25ml measure of 40% abv spirit
United States
A standard drink is defined as containing 0.6 fluid ounce (17.05ml) or 14.0g of pure alcohol[2]. This equates to
- 12-ounces of 5% abv beer.
- 8-ounces of 7.5% abv malt
- 5-ounces of 12% abv wine.
- 1.5-ounces (44.3ml) or a “shot” of 40% abv distilled spirits or liquor.
Australia
A standard drink is defined as containing 12.5ml or 10g[3] of pure alcohol. This equates to
- 375 ml bottle or can of 3.¯3% abv lager/beer.
- 104 ml of 12% abv wine (100ml~=1 unit, 1.50ml ~= 1.44 units)
- ~30ml measure of 40% abv spirit (0.96 units)
Canada
A standard drink is defined as containing 16.875ml or 13.6g[4] of pure alcohol. This equates to
- 341ml/12oz of 5% abv lager/beer.
- 5 oz 12% abv wine
- ~40ml measure of 40% abv spirit (1.06 units)
World
Based on data from Sensible Drinking[1] the amount of alcohol is stated in the table in both grams and millilitres. The number of standard drinks contained in 500ml of beer of 5% ABV (a typical large drink of beer) is stated for comparison, along with daily and weekly limits, where data is available. Blank cells indicate either no guidelines given, or no data available.
| Country | g/Std Drink | ml (based on 12.67g/ml) | 500ml@5% | g/day Male | g/day Female | g/week Male | g/week Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | |||||||
| Australia | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 20[5] | 20 | ||
| Austria | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 24 | 16 | ||
| Belgium | |||||||
| Canada | 13.6 | 17.24 | 1.45 | 41 | 27.2 | 204 | 136 |
| China | |||||||
| Czech Republic | 24 | 16 | |||||
| Denmark | 12 | 15.21 | 1.64 | 252 | 168 | ||
| Finland | 11 | 13.94 | 1.79 | 165 | 110 | ||
| France | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 30 | 20 | ||
| Germany | 24 | 16 | 120 | 80 | |||
| Greece | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 30 | 20 | ||
| Hungary | 17 | 21.55 | 1.16 | ||||
| Iceland | |||||||
| India | |||||||
| Ireland | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 40 | 30 | 210 | 140 |
| Italy | 12 | 15.21 | 1.64 | 36 | 24 | ||
| Japan | 19.75 | 25.03 | 1.00 | 39.5 | |||
| Luxembourg | |||||||
| Malta | 3 drinks | 2 drinks | |||||
| Netherlands | 9.9 | 12.55 | 1.99 | 30 | 18.8 | ||
| New Zealand | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 30 | 14 | 210 | 140 |
| Norway | |||||||
| Poland | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 20 | 10 | 100 | 50 |
| Portugal | 14 | 17.74 | 1.41 | 42 | 28 | ||
| Romania | 32.5 | 32.5 | |||||
| Russia | |||||||
| Singapore | 30 | 30 | |||||
| Slovenia | 20 | 10 | |||||
| South Africa[6] | 12 | 15.21 | 1.64 | 252 | 168 | ||
| Spain | 10 | 12.67 | 1.97 | 40 | 24 | ||
| Sweden | 20 | 20 | |||||
| Switzerland | 12 | 15.21 | 1.64 | 24 | 24 | ||
| Taiwan | |||||||
| Thailand | |||||||
| UK | 7.89 | 10.00 | 2.50 | 32 | 24 | 168 | 112 |
| USA | 14 | 17.74 | 1.41 | 56 | 42 | 196 | 98 |
| WHO | 3 drinks on average | 2 drinks on average |
References
- ↑ http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-and-you/health/guide-to-alcohol-units-and-measures
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#standDrink
- ↑ http://www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/standard
- ↑ http://www.agingincanada.ca/a_standard_drink.htm
- ↑ http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ds10-alcoholqa.pdf
- ↑ http://www.ara.co.za/alcohol-facts