Advertisement
question

What does drinking in moderation mean?

HealthyWomen
HealthyWomen
answer

Everyone metabolizes alcohol differently. U.S. health officials define moderate drinking as one drink per day for women and two drinks for men.

The type of alcohol also matters. One drink could be one of the following:

  • one 12-ounce (oz) bottle of beer that contains 4.5 percent alcohol
  • one 12-oz wine cooler (4 percent to 6 percent alcohol)
  • one 5-oz glass of wine (with 12.9 percent alcohol)
  • 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled liquor, such as whiskey, vodka or gin

However, depending on the alcohol content of the drink, the amount could be more or less.

This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org.

Continue Learning about Alcohol & Health

How alcohol affects women's health
How alcohol affects women's health
Men are drinking alcohol less than they have in the past, while women are drinking more, recent research shows. Experts are concerned about this trend...
Read More
Alcohol and cancer: What's the connection?
Alcohol and cancer: What's the connection?
In January 2025, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA issued an advisory, describing a direct link between alcohol and cancer. The Surgeon Gener...
Read More
Is there a safe amount of alcohol?
Is there a safe amount of alcohol?
If you relax or unwind with an occasional beer or glass of wine, you may be wondering if this habit is good for you, bad for you, or maybe somewhere i...
Read More
Surprising reasons for your hangover, according to science
Surprising reasons for your hangover, according to science
Whether you're having beers with a friend or a glass of wine at a family gathering, alcohol often plays a role in socializing. The potential problem: ...
Read More

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.