How many glasses of wine can you drink per day?
Quick answer
Belgian guidelines (Superior Health Council, 2018) recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week, no more than 2 per day, with at least 2 alcohol-free days. The WHO emphasises that zero risk does not exist.
Detailed answer
The concept of 'moderate drinking' varies by country and institution. In Belgium, the Superior Health Council (CSS) set a 2018 limit of 10 standard alcohol units per week (one unit = a 150 ml glass of wine at 12%), no more than 2 units per day, and at least 2 alcohol-free days per week.
France's public health authority recommends no more than 2 glasses per day and 10 per week (2017 guidelines). In the United States, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025) set the limit at 2 drinks per day for men and 1 for women.
The WHO took a stricter stance in 2023. In a report published in The Lancet Public Health, the organisation stated that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health. Cancer risk increases from the very first drink, even if the increase is small at moderate levels.
Dose-response studies show a J-shaped curve for cardiovascular disease: moderate drinkers have a slightly lower risk than abstainers, but that benefit disappears beyond 3 glasses per day. For cancer, the relationship is linear — every additional drink raises the risk.
These guidelines apply to healthy adults. Pregnant women, people on medication, and anyone with a history of addiction should avoid alcohol entirely. When in doubt, consult your doctor.