However, people need to remember that alcohol has the potential to cause severe harm to health, and continued excessive drinking can cause memory loss and alcohol-related brain damage.

The researchers have written to public health minister Dawn Primarolo, to call for alcohol -related brain damage to be put on the same footing liver problems caused by heavy drinking.

This greater sensitivity to alcohol leaves women more prone to alcohol-related illnesses like cirrhosis of the liver and alcohol-induced brain damage.