Benefits of reducing alcohol intake

While there is no safe amount of alcohol to consume, current UK guidelines recommend keeping your intake to no more than 14 units per week to lower health risks. But did you know your favourite drinks can also be high in calories? While we often think about the health risks of drinking too much, the calories in alcohol can also affect your weight and overall wellbeing. Let’s take a look at the calorie content in common drinks and the benefits of cutting down.

Type of drink	Calories per Serving	Equivalent to 14 units
Wine (175ml, 13%)	159 calories	6 glasses
Lager/Ale (568ml, 4%)	182 calories	6 pints
Cider (568ml, 4.5%)	216 calories	5.5 pints
Spirits (25ml, 40%)	61 calories	14 shots

Impact of cutting down:

Reducing alcohol intake can bring several health benefits.

Wine: Cutting out just 2 glasses of wine per week (318 calories) adds up to 16,536 calories saved over a year. That could mean a weight loss of around 2 kilograms.

Lager/Ale: Dropping 4 pints of beer each week (728 calories) could reduce yearly intake by about 37,856 calories. That could mean a weight loss of around 5 kilograms.

These figures show that even small changes to alcohol consumption can make a noticeable difference to health and weight management.

It is also recommended to spread your alcohol intake evenly across 3 or more days in a week, and to have alcohol-free days.

Additional considerations

Sugar: Many alcoholic drinks contain sugar, which can raise overall intake and contribute to weight gain.
Eating habits: Alcohol often increases appetite and can lead to impulsive food choices that disrupt healthy routines.
Mindful choices: Knowing the calorie content of your drinks helps you make smarter decisions and look after your wellbeing.

Further information:

For more tips on alcohol and its effects, visit drinkaware’s website. Their resources offer clear, practical advice on responsible drinking and how it can influence health.

Conclusion

Knowing the caloric content alcoholic drinks and seeing the benefits of cutting back can help support a balanced lifestyle. Whether you prefer wine, beer, or spirits, being aware of what you’re drinking makes it easier to choose wisely. Each choice adds up to better health and wellbeing. Moderation matters, and mindful decisions are the first step toward feeling your best.