Bottom’s up? US will no longer tell people exactly what the safe amount to drink is, report claims
US to ‘drop guidance’ on daily alcohol consumption limits
- Federal health and agriculture officials are reportedly planning to revise the long-standing guidance on daily alcohol consumption limits in the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
- The new guidelines are expected to include a brief statement encouraging moderation or limiting alcohol intake due to associated health risks.
- Currently, the guidelines advise women to consume one drink or less per day and men two drinks or less, with a 'drink' defined by specific volumes for wine, spirits, and beer.
- The proposed changes come amidst recent research highlighting a rise in cancer and liver disease deaths linked to alcohol use, with excessive drinking contributing to approximately 178,000 deaths annually.
- Critics, such as Eva Greenthal from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, expressed concern that more general language could be unhelpful and obscure the risks of even moderate drinking, particularly for breast cancer.