Is drinking alcohol bad for your health? New dietary guidelines will weigh risks and benefits
CNN
Most adults in the United States drink alcohol, but there is steadily growing public concern about the health effects of moderate drinking.
Most adults in the United States drink alcohol, but there is steadily growing public concern about the health effects of moderate drinking. The latest science supports those concerns, but two recent government reports suggest potential benefits exist alongside potential risks – and some experts say that formal dietary recommendations, due to be reviewed this year, could take a more nuanced approach. It is well-established that excessive alcohol use, including binge drinking and heavy drinking, has significant negative health effects. But recent studies have found that even low levels of drinking may be harmful, and the World Health Organization has said that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.” The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, from the US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture, say that men should limit their daily alcohol intake to two drinks or less, and one drink or less for women. These guidelines are up for review this year, and two recent reports meant to inform that process came to seemingly competing conclusions – continuing a longstanding debate on how to weigh the potential risks and benefits of alcohol. But public attitudes in the US are already changing.