Now, in the biggest of its kind, a new study featuring half a million alcoholics consumers across 19 countries has found to lower your risk of premature death, alcohol intake should be capped at 100g a week. Previous guidelines suggest you should limit yourself to two standard drinks a day.
Published in The Lancet, researchers analysed how alcohol might affect your life expectancy based on consumption.
A 40-year-old consuming 100-200g is likely to shave six months of their life expectancy compared to a person who has less than 100g a week. Alarmingly drinking 200 - 350g a week (20-35 standard drinks) would see you lose two years while more than 350g a week meant five years less.
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"An important message from this study is that optimal life expectancy is associated with a relatively low level of alcohol consumption (less than 100g per week), and that higher levels of consumption increase mortality risk," says co-author of the study and professor from the University of Western Australia, Bu Yeap.
However, it's important to note that the study relies on self-reported data so alcohol consumption may not be entirely accurate.
