Everyone responds to alcohol differently. Your height, weight and sex are just some of the factors that play a part in how alcohol affects you. Even what you've had to eat that day or how much sleep you've had can make a difference to how you feel when you drink.

The low risk drinking guidelines

To keep health risks from alcohol low, the UK Chief Medical Officers' (CMO) low risk drinking guidelines advise it is safest for men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.

The more alcohol you drink the greater your risk of developing both short and long term health issues. And it's not just your liver you need to be worried about. Alcohol consumption is also linked to a number of serious health conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure, poor mental health, and seven types of cancer.

Following the CMOs' advice

Saving up your weekly units so you can drink them all on a Friday night is not the way to interpret the CMOs' advice.

If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days.

A good way to cut down the overall amount you drink is to take more Drink Free Days during the week. That's why we've created a tool that lets you check your drinking, provides information about your risks and gives advice based on your results.

Try the DrinkCompare Quiz