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The new guidelines could come as early as this month.
The new guidelines could come as early as this month.
What is happening?
The upcoming U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to scrap long-standing daily alcohol limits, sources tell Reuters.
Instead of stating one to two drinks per day as acceptable, as the current guidelines do, the new guidance may simply urge moderation.
Stronger on Caution
Rather than specifying daily drink amounts, the revised guidelines will likely include a short statement encouraging Americans to limit alcohol due to its health risks.
Current Guidelines Still Promote “Moderation”
The official advice caps consumption at one drink per day for women and two for men are often cited as “moderate”, but these figures could soon be relegated to an appendix, replaced by less specific language on alcohol use.
Going solo
Countries like the UK maintain weekly caps—14 units—while Canada has adopted a far more conservative stance, warning that health risks increase after just two drinks per week.
Conflicting Findings and Limited Evidence
According to Reuters, the rationale behind removing daily drink limits stems from limited scientific consensus.
One official said to Reuters, that the evidence for setting precise daily thresholds isn’t strong enough, and the updated language will reflect only the most reliable research.
From Breast Cancer to Stroke
While some studies suggest light drinking might lower stroke risk, others highlight serious dangers.
Even moderate alcohol intake has been linked to breast cancer and other health problems, with one report showing that death risks rise from any level of alcohol consumption.
HHS and USDA Decline Comment
Despite the significance of the changes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture—responsible for the guidelines—have not responded publicly.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has instead focused on whole foods, remaining quiet on alcohol.
Divided Reactions Among Experts
Some health experts worry that removing numbers weakens the message.
Eva Greenthal from the Center for Science in the Public Interest criticize the vague language, saying it risks downplaying dangers like breast cancer.
From Daily Advice to a Single Sentence
According to Reuters sources, the new alcohol guidance may boil down to just one or two sentences.
While “moderation” remains the core message, the absence of daily limits marks a major shift in how the U.S. communicates alcohol-related health advice.
Reviewed every five years
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans are reviewed every five years by the HHS and USDA, and the updated guidelines could come as early as later this month.
The US began developing the formal guidelines on alcohol consumption in the early 1980’s with the National Minimum Drinking Age Act setting the legal drinking age to 21 being introduced in 1984.