Key takeaways
- In the first change to guidelines in 40 years, new advice states Americans should ‘consume less alcohol for overall better health’, but does not include set recommended limits
- The alcohol industry has largely welcomed an approach that promotes moderation
- But public health organizations lament a missed opportunity to provide consumers with more information about alcohol consumption, such as adding cancer health warnings to alcohol
The new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans has removed the long-standing guidance that alcohol consumption should be limited to two beverages a day for men and one for women: instead advising that consumers should limit their alcohol consumption.
Most countries set out recommended drinking limits (Canada’s low risk alcohol drinking guidelines, for example, suggests that alcohol consumption should be limited to 15 drinks a week for men and 10 drinks a week for women).
But the US has moved away from setting exact limits in favor of the simple message that less is better.
Like the UK, it has also moved away from the idea of issuing separate recommendations for men and women.
The new guidelines set out ‘the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in our nation’s history’: advocating a return to basics and diets built on whole, nutrient-dense foods such as protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and whole grains.
Speaking at a press briefing at the White House yesterday over the guidance, Dr Mehmet Oz, the head of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said: “Alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together. In the best case scenario, I don’t think you should drink alcohol, but it does allow people an excuse to bond and socialize.
“And there’s probably nothing healthier than having a good time with friends in a safe way. If you look at the blue zones, for example, around the world [where] people live the longest, alcohol is sometimes part of their diet... again, small amounts taken very judiciously and usually in a celebratory fashion.
“There is alcohol on these dietary guidelines, but the implication is: don’t have it for breakfast. This should be something done in small amounts, hopefully with some kind of event that might have alcohol at it.
“The general move away from two glasses for men, one glass for women... there was never really good data to support that quantity of alcohol consumption.”
In full: The new US drinking guidelines
Limit alcoholic beverages
> Consume less alcohol for better overall health.
> People who should completely avoid alcohol include pregnant women, people who are recovering from alcohol use disorder or are unable to control the amount they drink, and people taking medications or with medical conditions that can interact with alcohol. For those with a family history of alcoholism, be mindful of alcohol consumption and associated addictive behaviors.
2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Brewers Association, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Hope Growers of America and Wine Institute were among the industry associations responding to the new drinking guidelines via a coalition statement from beverage agriculture and hospitality industries.
“The Dietary Guidelines’ longstanding, overarching advice is that if alcohol is consumed, it should be done in moderation. These updated guidelines, underpinned by the preponderance of scientific evidence, reaffirm this important guidance,” reads the statement.
This emphasis on moderation is also supported by Erlinda A. Doherty, president of the DC Chapter of Women Who Whiskey and an industry consultant, judge and sommelier.
“Today’s alcohol guidance is a rejection of the World Health Organization’s “no safe level” conclusion and a reaffirmation of science as reviewed by the National Academies of Science Engineering & Medicine, which found that people who drink moderately live longer than non-drinkers.
“This fact-based guidance affirms that it’s OK to drink moderately and responsibly, and I look forward to continuing to enjoy whiskey with my friends.”
Cancer risk
In January 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that ‘no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health’, and it has continued to push for stricter regulations on alcohol.
A year later, outgoing US Surgeon General called for cancer risk warning labels on alcohol and revised guidance on alcohol consumption limits to account for cancer risk.
The US Alcohol Policy Alliance (USAPA) says the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has handed ‘a win to big alcohol’ with its new drinking guidance and accuses the agency of ignoring science on alcohol’s contributing role in chronic disease and premature deaths.
It is also disappointed that the guidelines fail to reference cancer risks.
“The scientific evidence is clear: alcohol is a toxic, addictive carcinogen that kills about 178,000 Americans each year: a 30% increase in fatalities over the past decade,” said Mike Marshall, CEO of USAPA.
“Given how deeply alcohol is embedded in American life, the public deserves clear, honest information about the risks of drinking so they can make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
