Britain’s “wine o’clock” culture may play a role in the alarming surge in deaths linked to chronic liver disease, which has risen five-fold since the 1970s.
Liver cirrhosis—scarring caused by prolonged liver damage—along with strokes and cancer, are well-known risks of excessive drinking.
However, recent research shows that even moderate alcohol consumption can trigger liver damage.
BBC Panorama journalist Hazel Martin was stunned to learn she had alcohol-related liver fibrosis, a severe form of liver scarring, at the age of 31.
A Scottish mother of one, Hazel enjoyed drinking socially rather than drinking alone, but her pattern of drinking from her late teens to late twenties would be considered binge drinking by today’s standards.
Experts have raised alarms about a disturbing rise in alcohol-related fatalities among middle-aged women.
Though the amount of alcohol that can cause irreversible liver damage varies by person—due to factors like genetics, drinking history, and body weight—researchers found that just 21 binge drinking episodes over seven weeks (about three per week) could lead to early-stage liver failure.
Binge drinking was defined as consuming five beers, a bottle of wine, or five shots of hard liquor for men, and four or more drinks in two hours for women.
In a study on mice, United States researchers found that binge drinking significantly increased liver triglycerides—fats in the blood—by nearly 50% compared to mice that abstained from alcohol.
Additionally, a single binge episode was enough to raise levels of CYP2E1, a liver enzyme that breaks down alcohol into toxic by-products. The findings, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, suggest that repeated, excessive alcohol consumption, even without alcohol dependence, can lead to fatty liver and early liver dysfunction.
According to the British Liver Trust, drinking more than 4 units of alcohol daily, roughly equivalent to two glasses of wine, can contribute to fat buildup in the liver.
If the drinking continues, the liver becomes inflamed and starts forming scar tissue—fibrosis—in an attempt to heal itself. Another study in 2024, found that Brits who binge-drank 12 units in one day were three times more likely to develop alcohol-related cirrhosis than those who spread the same 12 units over the course of a week.
Researchers who tracked over 300,000 adults also noted that those with a high genetic predisposition to liver disease had a four-fold higher risk, while individuals with type 2 diabetes had double the risk.
A hepatologist at University College London and co-author of the study, Dr. Gautam Mehta, pointed out that only one-third of people who drink at high levels develop serious liver disease.
He emphasized that drinking patterns, not just genetics, play a key role in the development of liver damage. He explained that binge drinking 21 units in a few sessions is more harmful than spreading it out evenly throughout the week.
In the UK, women are under growing pressure to drink due to persistent marketing from alcohol companies, cheap supermarket deals, and the rise of boozy brunches.
Many experts, including hospitality workers and alcohol awareness charities, have called for stronger marketing restrictions and minimum unit pricing to prevent alcohol-related health conditions.
Young women have shared how their drinking habits are shaped by stress relief and socialization.
A 30-year-old massage therapist from Brighton, Paola Mosquera, explained, “I drink when I go out because it gives me more confidence. It helps me meet new people.” She added that women with busy lives—juggling families, careers, and household chores—often use alcohol to unwind. “Sometimes after a busy day, I just want to have a bubble bath with a glass of red wine,” she said.
Similarly, Michelle Pattison, a 47-year-old carer from Newcastle, admitted to drinking heavily both before and after leaving the house.
“Women may drink more because they often take on full-time jobs as well as caring for children and the household,” she explained. “They have a lot of added stress.” Michelle also pointed out that women are more likely to drink wine and spirits, which have higher alcohol content. “It’s easy to finish a bottle of wine without realizing it,” she said.
According to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, one in four British women binge drink at least once a month, the highest rate among the 29 countries surveyed.
The same report revealed that more than a quarter of British women admit to drinking six or more alcoholic beverages in a single session—more than double the average rate of 12% globally. Experts have criticized alcohol companies for their “pink-washing” campaign, targeting women with trendy drinks.
Another contributing factor is the increase in the size of wine glasses over the years, leading some to misinterpret the National Health Service’s guidelines on alcohol consumption.
The NHS recommends that both men and women should not exceed 14 units of alcohol per week, with a small glass of wine (125ml) accounting for 1.5 units.
However, addiction expert Ian Hamilton, from the University of York, noted that many women misinterpret this guideline, thinking it is acceptable to consume 14 units in one sitting. “Many women associate alcohol problems with daily drinking, but it’s actually about drinking patterns,” he said.
Leading experts continue to debate the risks of moderate drinking, especially after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared last year that no amount of alcohol is truly safe.
Excessive drinking is linked to various cancers, cardiovascular disease, and liver damage. The WHO estimates that alcohol-related issues contribute to approximately three million deaths globally each year.
