I am a healthy 62 year old woman. I drink alcohol almost every day. Before going to sleep I take a glass, sometimes two. Is that too much? I often hear that it is good for the blood, but where is that limit?
woman, 62 years
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
One glass a day is considered safe, even for the elderly. According to the general practitioner guideline, the limit for problematic alcohol use is 14 glasses per week for women and 21 glasses per week for men.
A little alcohol is especially beneficial for the ‘good’ cholesterol, but half a glass a day for women and one glass for men is sufficient for that effect. Yet it remains somewhat arbitrary, because, for example, body weight is not calculated and because the individual ability of people to break down alcohol varies.
Alcohol Prevention Clubs Say You Shouldn’t Do Anything Two Days A Week drinks, to show yourself that you can do without it.
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