You Are What You Drink

The booze might be flowing, but it doesn’t mean you have to succumb to hangovers or post-office-party embarrassment. Here’s how to drink safely this festive season…

- Becky Fletcher

As December gets into full swing, you might find your alcohol-related willpower taking a tumble. Temptation comes in the form of mulled wine at Christmas markets, a cream-based liquor nightcap or a glass of chilled bubbles at a party. But, while it’s a time to indulge, what you drink over the festive period can take a toll on your wellbeing. A Cancer Research UK study estimates young adults will drink 62 units of alcohol (the equivalent of 30 glasses of wine) over the festive period. Our drinking habits often intensify at this time of year, too. Black Friday, the last Friday before Christmas, is the most notorious for hitting the bottle. ‘It’s the date when there’s the highest pressure on emergency services due to alcohol-related incidents,’ explains Jackie Ballard, CEO of charity Alcohol Concern.

This spike in drinking has numerous dangers for your health, which stretch far beyond the impact on your waistline. The Health & Social Care Information Centre estimates alcohol costs £21 billion per year in healthcare, crime and lost productivity. So, to help you strike the balance between enjoyment and excess, and ensure you have a healthy, happy Christmas, here’s everything you need to know about festive boozing. Cheers to that!

Know your limits