Latest news with #DietaryGuidelines
Forbes
2 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
U.S. Might Drop Daily Alcohol Guidelines, Report Says
The Department of Health and Human Services is considering revising its longstanding recommendations on alcohol consumption, Reuters reported Wednesday—but research published over the past year warns that even moderate drinking can lead to health problems, including multiple types of cancer. New U.S. Dietary Guidelines might soon be issued loosening the longstanding recommendations for ... More daily alcohol use—but researchers still stress the links between alcohol and several types of cancer. Since 1990, U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which are reviewed every five years and were last updated in 2020, have recommended men limit their drinking to no more than two drinks per day, while women should limit their consumption to one drink per day. Three unnamed sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the new guidelines, which could be released as soon as this month, would only include a statement encouraging moderation—but this could still be subject to change before the guidelines are released. Alcohol is associated with increased risk of multiple types of cancer, including mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, breast and colorectal cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. HHS did not immediately return a request for comment from Forbes. Dr. Silvia Balbo, a researcher at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the Masonic Cancer Center, said the proposed new guidelines would be a 'missed opportunity' to help educate the public about alcohol risks. 'The question I always get is, how much is it safe for us to drink?' Balbo told Forbes. 'Having a guideline that in general gives you an idea, a rough idea of what it means to drink in moderation is a good start,' Balbo said. Rather than scrapping the old guidelines, she would recommend expanding the existing guidelines to include better information for consumers. 'I think expanding really on what that means would have been more helpful rather than going towards a more generic and vague indication that's not going to really help people orient themselves in what it means to drink in moderation.' Balbo also pointed to the United Kingdom's National Health Service guidelines, which offer charts and calculators to determine exactly how many units are in different drinks. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's office issued an advisory report before he left office in January analyzing the risks of cancer associated with alcohol. 'For certain cancers, like breast, mouth, and throat cancers, evidence shows that this risk may start to increase around one or fewer drinks per day,' the report reads, noting that relative risk of developing certain cancers increases for both men and women who consume two or more drinks per day. Balbo said evidence for a connection between heavy drinking and cancer has been known for decades, but researchers are still working to understand how these cancers develop. Balbo's lab works to understand these mechanisms, particularly those that cause head and neck cancers, and her research was cited in the surgeon general's report in January. According to Balbo, alcohol converts into a compound called acetaldehyde as the body metabolizes it, which then harms the cells found in the mouth, which can cause DNA damage. 'If this DNA damage does not get repaired … it just persists and leads to genetic changes and genomic instability,' Balbo told Forbes in an interview. The surgeon general's report also notes that only 45% of Americans are aware of the cancer risks associated with alcohol. However, 89% understand the link between tobacco and cancer, 81% know about the cancer risks with asbestos, and 91% are aware of the cancer risks from radiation. In December 2024, a review conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found there was 'insufficient evidence to support an association between moderate alcohol consumption and risks of oral cavity, pharyngeal, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers.' The report did note that moderate drinking could pose a higher risk for breast cancer in women. The report has since received heavy pushback from other researchers, including the National Cancer Institute, The New York Times reported in January. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption increased among most segments of the American population during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more recent research indicates that younger millennials and Gen Z are drinking less than earlier generations. A Gallup poll published in 2023 indicated that the number of Americans between the ages of 18-34 who consume alcohol occasionally has fallen by 10 percentage points over the last 20 years. Simultaneously, younger Americans who do drink are consuming fewer drinks per week and cutting back on overdrinking, the same report found. Canada's public health recommendations are close to America's, recommending women drink no more than two drinks per day and men no more than three. The United Kingdom's National Health Service recommends no more than 14 units of alcohol per week—six glasses of wine or six pints of beer spread out over three days or more. The World Health Organization takes a much stronger stance, warning there is no safe level of alcohol consumption at all and categorizing it as a Group 1 carcinogen—alongside asbestos, radiation and tobacco.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
US to drop guidance to limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, sources say
U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, according to three sources familiar with the matter, in what could be a major win for an industry threatened by heightened scrutiny of alcohol's health effects. The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which could be released as early as this month, are expected to include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation or limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks, the sources said. The guidelines are still under development and subject to change, two of the sources and a fourth individual familiar with the process said. Currently, the recommendations advise limiting drinking to one serving or less per day for women and two or less for men, widely seen as a moderate level. Similar guidelines exist in countries such as the United Kingdom, which advises limiting drinking to 14 units per week, while Canada, however, has adopted a more cautious stance, warning that health risks begin to increase after just two drinks per week. Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, such as higher risk of breast cancer, though some studies have also found an association with possible health benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke. The fourth source said that the scientific basis for recommending specific daily limits is limited, and the goal is to ensure the guidelines reflect only the most robust evidence. The new guidelines, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are closely watched internationally and influence policies ranging from school lunch programs to medical advice. Neither department responded to requests for comment. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known teetotaler, has remained largely silent on alcohol but has emphasised a focus on whole foods in the upcoming guidelines. Some alcohol executives had feared a move towards tighter recommendations on alcohol intake as authorities like the World Health Organization upped their warnings about alcohol's health risks. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer and called for warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Major industry players, including Diageo and Anheuser-Busch InBev, have lobbied lawmakers throughout the review process. Senate records show each company spent millions on lobbying efforts related to the guidelines and a range of other issues such as tax and trade in 2024 and 2025. Both companies declined to comment. The new guidelines are set to move away from suggesting consumers limit alcohol consumption to a specific number of daily servings, according to the three sources, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely. One person said the new alcohol-related recommendation will probably be limited to a sentence or two. Another said the existing numbers tied to moderate drinking could still appear in a longer appendix. While industry representatives have lobbied lawmakers on the guidelines or how they should be decided, some officials and researchers advocated for tighter restrictions. Reports intended to inform the guidelines have meanwhile drawn different conclusions about alcohol's health effects and the science around this. 'UNHELPFUL' The guidelines, which are reviewed every five years, have advised drinking in moderation and defined that as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two for men since 1990. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit focused on nutrition, health and food safety, said the more general language expected in the guidelines was "so vague as to be unhelpful". Under such a change, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, she continued. Two studies were produced to inform the development of the guidelines. The first found that moderate drinking was associated with increased risk of some cancers, but a decreased risk of dying from any cause and some cardiovascular problems like stroke. The evidence for some other health impacts was insufficient to draw conclusions, it found. The other report conversely found the risk of dying from alcohol use, including increased risk for seven cancers, begins at any or low levels of alcohol use and increases with higher consumption.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Cheers? U.S to scrap longstanding guidelines on daily alcohol limits, raising eyebrows and happy hours alike
The United States might be preparing to remove its long-standing recommendation that adults must limit their alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, reported Reuters. This expected change in the upcoming US Dietary Guidelines has sparked reactions from public health experts and even those who enjoy an occasional drink, as per the Reuters report. US Could Drop the Daily Drink Limits in New Guidelines As per Reuters' sources, the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected to be released by this month, might include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation or limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks, according to the report. However, the expected updated guidelines, developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture, are still under development and subject to change, according to Reuters. While an insider told Reuters that the scientific basis for recommending specific daily limits is limited, the goal is to ensure the guidelines reflect only the most robust evidence, as per the report. According to Reuters's sources, the updated guidelines are expected not to suggest consumers limit alcohol consumption to a specific number of daily servings, but the new alcohol-related recommendation might be limited to a sentence or two, and the existing numbers tied to moderate drinking might still appear in a longer appendix, reported Reuters. ALSO READ: After striking Boeing office in Ukraine, Putin now kills an American in Kyiv—Trump's silence is deafening Live Events Industry Leaders and Experts Weigh In on the Changes Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is a known teetotaler, has not mentioned about alcohol but has emphasised a focus on whole foods in the upcoming Dietary Guidelines, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, a few alcohol executives had feared that changes might be made to tighter recommendations on alcohol intake as authorities like the World Health Organisation have increased their warnings about alcohol's health risks, according to the report. However, an ex-US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, highlighted that alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer and called for warning labels on alcoholic drinks, reported Reuters. A senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Eva Greenthal said pointed out that the more general language expected in the guidelines was "so vague as to be unhelpful," and highlighted that if the change takes place, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, reported Reuters. According to Reuters, at present, the Dietary Guidelines advise limiting drinking to one serving or less per day for women and two or less for men, which is widely considered a moderate level. Reuters wrote, "Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, such as higher risk of breast cancer, though some studies have also found an association with possible health benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke." FAQs What exactly is changing in the US alcohol guidelines? The guidelines may remove specific daily limits on drinks and replace them with a general recommendation to drink in moderation, as per Reuters report. Will people still be advised to drink less? Yes, the guidelines will likely still advise moderation or limiting alcohol due to health risks, but without specific numbers.
Global News
2 days ago
- Health
- Global News
U.S. expected to change daily alcohol intake guidelines: sources
U.S. Dietary Guidelines are expected to eliminate the long-standing recommendation that adults limit alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day, according to three sources familiar with the matter, in what could be a major win for an industry threatened by heightened scrutiny of alcohol's health effects. The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which could be released as early as this month, are expected to include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation or limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks, the sources said. The guidelines are still under development and subject to change, two of the sources and a fourth individual familiar with the process said. Currently, the recommendations advise limiting drinking to one serving or less per day for women and two or less for men, widely seen as a moderate level. Story continues below advertisement Similar guidelines exist in countries such as the United Kingdom, which advises limiting drinking to 14 units per week, while Canada, however, has adopted a more cautious stance, warning that health risks begin to increase after just two drinks per week. Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, such as higher risk of breast cancer, though some studies have also found an association with possible health benefits, such as a lower risk of stroke. 2:24 New Calgary-based beverage company aims to help people manage their alcoholic intake The fourth source said that the scientific basis for recommending specific daily limits is limited, and the goal is to ensure the guidelines reflect only the most robust evidence. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The new guidelines, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are closely watched internationally and influence policies ranging from school lunch programs to medical advice. Neither department responded to requests for comment. Story continues below advertisement Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known teetotaler, has remained largely silent on alcohol but has emphasized a focus on whole foods in the upcoming guidelines. Some alcohol executives had feared a move towards tighter recommendations on alcohol intake as authorities like the World Health Organization upped their warnings about alcohol's health risks. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer and called for warning labels on alcoholic drinks. Major industry players, including Diageo DGE.L and Anheuser-Busch InBev have lobbied lawmakers throughout the review process. Senate records show each company spent millions on lobbying efforts related to the guidelines and a range of other issues such as tax and trade in 2024 and 2025. Both companies declined to comment. The new guidelines are set to move away from suggesting consumers limit alcohol consumption to a specific number of daily servings, according to the three sources, who asked not to be named in order to speak freely. One person said the new alcohol-related recommendation will probably be limited to a sentence or two. Another said the existing numbers tied to moderate drinking could still appear in a longer appendix. While industry representatives have lobbied lawmakers on the guidelines or how they should be decided, some officials and researchers advocated for tighter restrictions. Story continues below advertisement Reports intended to inform the guidelines have meanwhile drawn different conclusions about alcohol's health effects and the science around this. General language likely 'unhelpful,' expert says The guidelines, which are reviewed every five years, have advised drinking in moderation and defined that as no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two for men since 1990. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit focused on nutrition, health and food safety, said the more general language expected in the guidelines was 'so vague as to be unhelpful.' Under such a change, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, she continued. 6:05 New guidelines on alcohol consumption for Canadians Two studies were produced to inform the development of the guidelines. The first found that moderate drinking was associated with increased risk of some cancers, but a decreased risk of dying from any cause and some cardiovascular problems like stroke. Story continues below advertisement The evidence for some other health impacts was insufficient to draw conclusions, it found. The other report conversely found the risk of dying from alcohol use, including increased risk for seven cancers, begins at any or low levels of alcohol use and increases with higher consumption. (Reporting by Emma Rumney in London and Jessica Di'Napoli in New York; editing by Caroline Humer and Louise Heavens)
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Trump admin to scrap alcohol limits in stunning U-turn
America is set to scrap its decades old recommendation that people do not consume more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Under the current guidelines, women are told not to drink more than one alcoholic beverage a day while men are told to drink no more than two. But now, sources say this could be replaced with more generic advice to drink 'in moderation' or to limit alcohol intake due to associated health risks. Three sources — who asked not to be named — leaked the proposed update to Reuters, potentially marking the first time alcohol limits have been changed since 1990. It is set to be revealed in the updated Dietary Guidelines, published every five years to give dietary recommendations to Americans, that could be released this month. The proposal moves America's guidelines away from its neighbor Canada, which recently introduced stricter guidelines urging Canadians to limit alcohol intake to just two drinks per week. It's a U-turn on the Biden administration's proposal to investigate emulating Canada's guidelines, revealed in a interview in 2023. Even moderate drinking is linked to some health risks, studies suggest, such as higher risk of cancer and dementia. A fourth source told Reuters that the updates to the guidelines were being made because the scientific basis for the current recommendations was 'limited'. One source said the new alcohol-related recommendation will probably be limited to a sentence or two in the new report. The new guidelines are being developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior is a known teetotaler, but has remained largely silent on alcohol — instead emphasizing whole foods in the upcoming dietary guidelines. Donald Trump also famously does not consume alcohol after his older brother Fred — an alcoholic — died at age 50 from a heart attack. In remarks last week, the 79-year-old President said his advice on good parenting was 'no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes... I also say no tattoos'. Some experts had feared tighter alcohol limits would be set under the guidelines after a federal report released in January suggested just one alcoholic drink a day raises the risk of suffering from more than a dozen health conditions. These included a higher risk of colon and esophageal cancers and of liver cirrhosis. That same month, former US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murphy warned that drinking alcohol could raise the risk of suffering from seven types of cancer. He also recommended that all alcoholic beverages include a cigarette-style warning on their packaging to highlight the link between alcohol and cancer. Major industry players including Diageo — which makes Captain Morgan's rum and Smirnoff Vodka among others — and Anheuser-Busch — which owns Bud Light — have spent millions lobbying lawmakers over the guidelines and other issues over the last two years. The guidelines are reviewed every five years and have advised drinking as no more than one drink per day for women and two per day for men since 1990. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit focused on nutrition, health and food safety, said the more general language expected in the guidelines was 'so vague as to be unhelpful'. Under such a change, the message that even moderate drinking can increase risks, especially for breast cancer, would get lost, she added. Two studies were produced to inform the development of the guidelines. The first found that moderate drinking was associated with increased risk of some cancers, but a decreased risk of dying from any cause and some cardiovascular problems like stroke. The evidence for some other health impacts was insufficient to draw conclusions, it found. The other report conversely found the risk of dying from alcohol use, including increased risk for seven cancers, begins at any or low levels of alcohol use and increases with higher consumption.
