Goodbye to alcohol: U.S. rethinks its advice on alcohol consumption limits to combat this killer

The US government may be about to revise its dietary guidelines on alcohol consumption. According to reports, federal officials are considering eliminating the long-standing recommendation that moderate drinking means one or two drinks a day for adults.

Several sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the upcoming guidance could instead include a brief statement encouraging people to limit their alcohol intake due to associated health risks. However, they cautioned that the new recommendations are still under development and subject to change.

Current guidelines define moderate drinking as two drinks or fewer per day for men, and one drink or fewer for women. “Compared to heavy drinking, moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of negative health outcomes,” say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a total of 224.3 million people aged 12 and over have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives.

Who should not drink alcohol?

The CDC warns that “alcohol can affect every part of the body,” and that excessive use increases the risk of developing illnesses, suffering injuries or dying prematurely. Experts point out that the way a person’s body processes alcohol varies, meaning the risks differ from person to person.

• What are the top reasons for quitting booze?

While the CDC does provide guidelines for moderate consumption, it also states that certain people should not drink alcohol at all. That includes pregnant individuals, people under the age of 21, anyone with certain medical conditions such as liver disease, people taking medications that interact with alcohol, and individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder.

The CDC also notes that, when compared to not drinking at all, even moderate alcohol use “can increase the overall risk of death and chronic illnesses” – including heart disease and several types of cancer.

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