New Dietary Guidelines Highlight Important Recommendations on Alcohol Consumption
There is an abundance of published information concerning the adverse health consequences of over drinking. Now some public health officials have jumped into the conversation from a different angle—examining alcohol consumption within the framework of “dietary guidelines.” There is a broad audience for any discussion about alcohol in the United States, as evidenced by the stats.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 85% of Americans over 18 have consumed alcohol at least once. Furthermore, 25% from that same age group admit to binge drinking at least once in the past month, and about 6% meet the qualifications for alcohol addiction.
For years, multiple public health organizations have documented evidence that Americans should significantly cut back on their alcohol consumption. This 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans has added its voice to the choir, urging caution and restraint when it comes to alcohol.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
“The Dietary Guidelines does not recommend that individuals who do not drink alcohol start drinking for any reason. There are also some people who should not drink at all, such as if they are pregnant or might be pregnant; under the legal age for drinking; if they have certain medical conditions or are taking certain medications that can interact with alcohol; and if they are recovering from an alcohol use disorder or if they are unable to control the amount they drink. If adults age 21 years and older choose to drink alcoholic beverages, drinking less is better for health than drinking more.”
Above is the opening statement of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ chapter on alcohol, and it summarizes the vital conclusion of that section of the report:
“Alcohol consumption should be kept to an absolute minimum, if not completely avoided.”
The report emphasizes that Americans who consume alcohol tend to live shorter lives than Americans who do not drink alcohol or drink little alcohol. There is a direct correlation between alcohol consumption levels and risks of death from all causes. The more alcohol is consumed, the higher the risks. Additionally, drinking alcohol in large amounts opens the door to loss of life by factors only brought about through drinking (like causing a drunk driving accident, falling, experiencing alcohol-related heart and liver diseases, alcohol-associated cancers and more).
The guidelines strongly encourage men to limit alcohol consumption to two drinks or less per day and encourage women to limit their drinking to one drink or less per day. Unfortunately, many Americans do not follow those guidelines. According to the document, about 60 percent of adults drink alcohol at least once per month, with 30 percent binge drinking. Furthermore, when adults do drink, their consumption “Typically exceeds current guidance.”
The report strongly encourages those who cannot control their alcohol consumption not to drink alcohol at all, not even one drink.
Alcohol Has Empty Calories
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines goes on to highlight the unhealthful aspect of alcohol consumption solely from a caloric consumption factor. Alcoholic beverages supply calories, but calories from alcohol are called “empty calories” because they contain little to no nutritional value. Alcohol calories do not provide sustenance the same way food calories do, hence the fitting term “empty calories.”
According to medical experts, alcohol consumption makes it challenging for adults to meet food group and nutrient needs without consuming excess calories. Certain alcoholic beverages also contain sugar, fat and artificial additives, contributing to the drinker’s intake of other non-optimum ingredients. From the data, alcoholic beverages contribute to approximately 3% to 4% of calories consumed by women and 5% to 7% of calories consumed by men.
Most adults in the United States who drink alcohol end up exceeding their caloric limit on the days that they drink. In addition to the other harmful implications of alcohol consumption, there is the factor of consuming excessive calories and the resulting health complications.
The Many Benefits of Drinking Less
From avoiding unwanted weight gain to maintaining a healthy heart, liver, kidneys, throat, lungs, brain, and mental, emotional state, from preventing risk to even something as simple as saving money, there are many arguments for limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption.
On the other hand, there are no health-based facts that argue in favor of alcohol consumption. Health officials have been sounding the bell on over-drinking for a long time, the stats indicate that not enough people are listening. Perhaps this approach and recent information will provide reason enough for some to limit or eliminate their alcohol consumption.
Sources:
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
- https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db383.htm
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2770975
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