A UK doctor has issued a clear warning about the precise amount of alcohol that typically triggers a hangover and the even more dangerous level that can lead to alcohol poisoning.
The UK's Drinking Habits
Drinking alcohol is a common activity across the United Kingdom. Recent polling data reveals that approximately 82 per cent of British adults consume alcohol. Statistics from 2022 show that six per cent of adults drink daily, with a further four per cent indulging five or six days a week.
Around 14 per cent enjoy drinks on three or four days weekly, 23 per cent drink once or twice, and a third (33 per cent) drink less frequently. In light of these figures, Doctor Bhavini Shah, a GP with LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, has provided crucial guidance on how alcohol consumption affects the body.
How Alcohol Impacts Your Body, Unit by Unit
Dr Shah explained the physiological effects as consumption increases. Initially, one or two units of alcohol – where a single unit is 10ml of pure alcohol – can raise the heart rate, dilate blood vessels, and create a mild 'buzz' that often makes people feel more sociable.
"After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system," Dr Shah stated. This reduces reaction times and impairs the brain's decision-making areas, leading to poorer judgement and potentially riskier behaviour.
The Hangover Threshold and Beyond
The critical point for most people, according to the GP, is around eight units of alcohol. Consuming this amount typically results in a hangover the next day. This is equivalent to roughly four pints of lower-strength cider or lager (3.6%) or four standard 175ml glasses of wine.
"After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover," Dr Shah clarified. The symptoms escalate after ten units, with highly impaired coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and headaches.
Consistently drinking eight or more units in a session is classified as 'binge drinking' for men, while six or more units defines it for women. The NHS advises that adults should not regularly drink more than 14 units per week, spreading this over three or more days if they do.
Dr Shah issued a severe warning about higher consumption: "after 12 units, you are at great risk of alcohol poisoning."
How to Recover and Reduce Risk
While the body metabolises alcohol at its own fixed rate, Dr Shah recommends steps to alleviate hangover symptoms. "Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself," she advised.
Staying hydrated by drinking water is essential to counter dehydration and reduce headache severity. Eating bland foods can also help by raising blood sugar levels without upsetting the stomach. For those seeking to cut down, the NHS website offers comprehensive guidance on reducing alcohol intake.
