Ever wonder what six drinks a day actually does to your body? You might hear mixed messages about ‘moderate’ drinking, but six drinks is more than most health groups call moderate. In this guide we’ll break down what six drinks looks like, the short‑term effects you might feel, and the longer‑term risks that can show up if you keep that habit.
First things first – a ‘drink’ isn’t just any glass of liquid. In the UK a standard drink is about 8 g of pure alcohol, which is roughly a 25 ml shot of spirit, a 330 ml glass of beer at 4% ABV, or a 125 ml glass of wine at 12% ABV. So when we talk about six drinks, we’re really talking about six of those standard units. That adds up to about 48 g of pure alcohol each day.
Six drinks a day pushes your body into a higher risk zone. In the short term you might feel the buzz, a bit of lowered inhibition, and maybe a mild hangover the next morning. Over weeks or months, that amount can raise blood pressure, increase triglycerides, and start to affect liver function. Long‑term, the chances of developing liver disease, certain cancers, and heart problems rise sharply. Even if you feel fine now, the damage can be building quietly.
Another thing to watch is how the drinks are spread out. Bingeing six drinks in one sitting is much harder on your system than sipping one drink every few hours. Your liver can process about one unit per hour, so anything beyond that sits in your bloodstream longer, increasing toxicity.
If you’re trying to cut back, start small. Swap one of those six drinks for a non‑alcoholic option like sparkling water or a herbal tea. Track what you actually drink – many people underestimate how much they’re sipping. Seeing the numbers can be a wake‑up call and help you set realistic goals.
Remember, the guidelines in the UK suggest no more than 14 units a week for both men and women, spread over several days. Six drinks a day already exceeds that by a big margin, so cutting back will bring you in line with official advice and likely improve how you feel day to day.
Bottom line: six drinks daily isn’t a harmless habit. It can push your health toward serious problems, even if you don’t notice immediate symptoms. By understanding what a ‘drink’ really is and looking at the bigger picture, you can make smarter choices that keep the good times going without the hidden costs.
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