What is the recommended maximum number of drinks per day for adults?

• A. No more than one drink daily for adult women, two for men
• B. No more than two drinks daily for all adults
• C. No more than one drink per week
• D. No more than three drinks daily for adults

Answer: (A)

Understanding moderate drinking limits involves recognizing that gender differences affect how alcohol impacts the body. Women generally reach higher blood alcohol levels than men after the same amount of alcohol due to factors like lower body water and differences in alcohol metabolism. Because of this, the recommended maximum per day is up to one standard drink for women and up to two standard drinks for men. A standard drink is about 14 grams of pure ethanol: roughly 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. The other options don’t fit: two drinks daily for all adults ignores the higher risk women face; one drink per week is too restrictive for daily guidelines; and three drinks daily exceeds the recommended limit for both sexes.