Research suggests men (and women) who consume one or two alcoholic drinks per day have a lower death rate from coronary heart disease than abstainers.
The recommended safe intake for men is no more than three units of alcohol a day, or 21 units per week. Units of alcohol should not be confused with number of drinks, as many common drinks count as more than one unit.
One unit of alcohol is the equivalent to:
Half a pint of beer containing (3-4 percent alcohol by volume)
A small measure of spirit containing (40 percent alcohol by volume)
One and a half units of alcohol is equivalent to:
A small glass of wine (12 percent alcohol by volume)
a standard, single shot-sized measure of spirits (40 percent alcohol by volume)
Men should drink no more than four units of alcohol in a single day and should have at least two alcohol-free days per week.