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
From Wikipedia[5] 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
| Country | Mass (g) | Volume (ml) | 500 ml beer contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia[6] | 10 | 12.7 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| Austria | 6 | 7.62 | 3.2 s.drinks |
| Canada[7] | 13.5 | 17.1 | 1.5 s.drinks |
| Denmark | 12 | 15.2 | 1.6 s.drinks |
| Finland[8] | 12 | 15.2 | 1.6 s.drinks |
| France | 12 | 15.2 | 1.6 s.drinks |
| Hungary | 17 | 21.5 | 1.2 s.drinks |
| Iceland[9] | 8 | 10 | 2.5 s.drinks |
| Ireland | 10 | 12.7 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| Italy | 10 | 12.7 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| Japan | 19.75 | 25 | 1.0 s.drinks |
| Netherlands | 9.9 | 12.5 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| New Zealand[10] | 10 | 12.7 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| Poland | 10 | 12.7 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| Portugal | 14 | 17.7 | 1.4 s.drinks |
| Spain | 10 | 12.7 | 2.0 s.drinks |
| UK[11] | 7.9 | 10 | 2.5 s.drinks |
| USA[12] | 14 | 17.7 | 1.4 s.drinks |
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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_drink#Standard_drinks_as_defined_by_various_countries
- ↑ Population Health Division, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing The Australian Standard Drink
- ↑ Canadian Public Health Association. drinkingfacts.ca. URL: http://www.drinkingfacts.ca/english/downloads/facts.pdf. Accessed on: October 10, 2007.
- ↑ paihdelinkki.fi, How to use alcohol wisely
- ↑ Landlæknisembættið, Icelandic Directorate of Health [1]
- ↑ New Zealand Food Safety Authority [2]
- ↑ http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-and-you/health/guide-to-alcohol-units-and-measures
- ↑ Template:Cite web