The Trump administration has unveiled updated US dietary guidelines that have drawn criticism from experts and public health advocates. For the first time, the new guidelines focus on moderation rather than specific drink limits for alcohol consumption.
Under the revised guidance, Americans are advised to "limit alcoholic beverages," a change from previous recommendations that suggested limiting daily intake to two drinks or fewer for men and one drink or less for women. The updated language does not differentiate between men's and women's guidance, despite research showing differences in how sexes metabolize alcohol.
Critics argue that the new guidelines fail to address the well-documented risks associated with excessive drinking, including an increased risk of certain cancers such as stomach and pancreatic cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former surgeon general, had called on alcohol manufacturers to update their labels to be clear about the cancer risks of alcohol consumption.
The guidelines also received pushback from health experts for downplaying the role of alcohol in social interactions, suggesting that moderate drinking can be a "social lubricant" that brings people together. Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, made this argument at a press briefing, but critics argue that such language does not convey the true risks associated with excessive drinking.
The updated dietary guidelines have been met with skepticism from groups like the US Alcohol Policy Alliance, which works to reduce alcohol-related disease, death, and injury. The organization's CEO, Mike Marshall, stated that the public deserves clear, honest information about the risks of drinking so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
The American Heart Association has also weighed in on the updated guidelines, saying that alcohol does not protect heart health and that its use is linked to higher blood pressure, triglycerides, irregular heart rhythms, stroke, and heart failure.
Under the revised guidance, Americans are advised to "limit alcoholic beverages," a change from previous recommendations that suggested limiting daily intake to two drinks or fewer for men and one drink or less for women. The updated language does not differentiate between men's and women's guidance, despite research showing differences in how sexes metabolize alcohol.
Critics argue that the new guidelines fail to address the well-documented risks associated with excessive drinking, including an increased risk of certain cancers such as stomach and pancreatic cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorder. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former surgeon general, had called on alcohol manufacturers to update their labels to be clear about the cancer risks of alcohol consumption.
The guidelines also received pushback from health experts for downplaying the role of alcohol in social interactions, suggesting that moderate drinking can be a "social lubricant" that brings people together. Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, made this argument at a press briefing, but critics argue that such language does not convey the true risks associated with excessive drinking.
The updated dietary guidelines have been met with skepticism from groups like the US Alcohol Policy Alliance, which works to reduce alcohol-related disease, death, and injury. The organization's CEO, Mike Marshall, stated that the public deserves clear, honest information about the risks of drinking so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
The American Heart Association has also weighed in on the updated guidelines, saying that alcohol does not protect heart health and that its use is linked to higher blood pressure, triglycerides, irregular heart rhythms, stroke, and heart failure.
. I mean, moderation is a good thing and all, but it's so soft on excessive drinking 
. As someone who's seen my fair share of friends and family members struggle with addiction, I wish they'd been more specific about the risks. It's not just about "limiting alcoholic beverages" - it's about acknowledging that too much booze can lead to some serious health issues 
. And what's up with downplaying the role of drinking in social situations? In my day, we didn't need a label on our beer to tell us to drink responsibly 
. But I suppose times have changed and people are more aware of their health now. Still, I think they should've taken it a step further...
. I get where they're trying to make moderation more appealing, but at what cost? 
Reducing specific drink limits just makes it seem like a free pass for people to overdo it on booze. And what's with downplaying alcohol's role in social interactions? That's just gonna make people think it's okay to drink way more than they should be 
.
... I mean, who do these people think they're kidding? Updating the guidelines to focus on moderation instead of actual drink limits? It's like they want us all to just wing it and hope for the best 
. And what's with the "social lubricant" nonsense? Like, no one's gonna be sitting around sipping a beer because it helps social interactions 
... Newsflash: excessive drinking is not healthy, folks! And don't even get me started on the lack of clear labeling on booze - that's just a recipe for disaster 
. I swear, these guidelines are just a cop-out for the politicians who don't want to deal with the real issues 
But isn't the idea of limiting drinks supposed to help people avoid health problems like cancer and liver disease? 
Why are they not being more specific about that? It seems like a step back to me. And I'm also worried that this "social lubricant" thing is gonna get people drunk in social situations and then they're gonna drink more than they should... 
But at the same time, I can see how having some flexibility with drinking might not be all bad... like if you're just relaxing with friends after a long day. It's just hard to know what to think about it right now 
, we should be talking about responsible drinking habits instead. And what's with the "social lubricant" thing? It's like they're trying to make drinking sound cool again 
, you know? Where's the clarity on moderation and safe drinking limits for men and women? It's like they're trying to downplay the risks of excessive drinking 
It's just not that simple, you know?
. They're trying to tell us something crucial about the risks of drinking, but it's getting watered down in the guidelines 
.
, saying that alcohol doesn't protect heart health and can lead to some serious health issues 
. Let's get clear info out there so we can make informed decisions about our health! 
. It's like, if we know the risks, shouldn't we be telling people how much is too much? 
. And what's with downplaying the role of alcohol in social interactions? I mean, we all know it can be a bit of a party starter... but at what cost? 
Let's hope there are some changes made soon that make people feel safer about making informed decisions about their drinking habits 
. And I feel for Dr. Murthy and others who want more transparency from alcohol manufacturers - I mean, shouldn't they be labeling their products with warning labels like we do with cigarettes? 
Anyway, I guess this is a step in the right direction... or maybe it's just a bunch of nuance 
. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to change the phrase from "limit daily intake" to just "limit alcoholic beverages"? It's like they're trying to downplay the risks of excessive drinking. And what about women? They're not getting any special guidance on how much booze is safe for them. The fact that men and women metabolize alcohol differently should be taken into account, but I guess the experts didn't bother with that part 
. The fact that some health experts are actually defending this change is just wild 
It doesn't make sense to me.