The United States has introduced updated federal dietary guidelines that significantly alter how alcohol consumption is addressed. Instead of recommending specific daily limits, the new guidance uses broader language, advising Americans to limit alcohol intake without defining quantities. The change has triggered discussion among health organisations, as it departs from previous recommendations and from positions held by several international and US-based public health bodies.
A Clear Shift From Numbers To General Advice
Under the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, alcohol is no longer framed in terms of a maximum number of drinks per day. Previous guidelines advised adults aged 21 and over to limit consumption to two drinks or fewer per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.
Previous guidance
- Up to two drinks per day for men
- Up to one drink per day for women
New guidance:
- Americans are instructed to “limit alcoholic beverages”
- No numerical limits are specified
- No distinction is made between men and women
The updated guidance replaces this framework with a general recommendation to “limit alcoholic beverages”. The new text does not include numerical thresholds, nor does it distinguish between men and women, despite scientific evidence showing that the sexes metabolise alcohol differently.
Who Presented The New Guidelines
The guidelines were announced on Wednesday by officials from the Trump administration, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture.
They were presented with the support of Marty Makary, who heads the Food and Drug Administration, and Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years and serve as the federal government’s primary reference for national nutrition policy.
Alcohol Within A Broader Nutrition Reset
Alongside changes to alcohol language, the new guidelines place emphasis on dietary patterns focused on whole foods. They encourage the consumption of healthy fats, protein-rich meals and full-fat dairy products, provided these contain no added sugars.
The revised framework reflects a broader shift away from highly processed foods, while maintaining flexibility in how individual dietary choices are described.
Explanation Offered By Federal Officials
During a White House press briefing, Mehmet Oz argued that previous numerical limits on alcohol consumption were not supported by precise scientific evidence defining an optimal daily intake.
Oz described alcohol as a social factor that can facilitate bonding and social interaction. He referred to longevity studies in so-called “blue zones”, regions where people tend to live longer and where alcohol is sometimes consumed in small, celebratory quantities.
At the same time, he stated that the healthiest scenario would involve no alcohol consumption at all, suggesting that the new guidance reflects moderation rather than endorsement.
How The New Guidance Compares With Existing Health Positions
The revised US guidance differs from the stance of several major health organisations. The World Health Organization has stated that no amount of alcohol is safe for health.
Former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy previously called for alcohol manufacturers to include clearer warnings about cancer risks on product labels.
The American Heart Association has also maintained that alcohol does not protect heart health. According to the organisation, any perceived cardiovascular benefits in older studies are likely linked to lifestyle differences rather than alcohol itself. The AHA associates alcohol use with increased blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, and a higher risk of stroke and heart failure as consumption rises.
Concerns Raised By Public Health Groups
The updated language has been criticised by advocacy groups including the US Alcohol Policy Alliance.
The organisation’s chief executive, Mike Marshall, said the new guidelines do not clearly address the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, nor do they highlight links between alcohol, violence and long-term harms related to underage drinking. Critics argue that the absence of concrete limits may reduce clarity for the public.
What Existing Data Shows About Alcohol Risks
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term alcohol consumption increases the risk of several cancers, including stomach and pancreatic cancer. Excessive drinking is also associated with heart disease, liver disease and alcohol use disorder.
The CDC defines excessive drinking as 15 or more drinks per week for men and eight or more drinks per week for women. It defines a standard drink as 12 ounces of beer, eight ounces of malt liquor, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.
Global Perspective On Alcohol Harm
A 2024 report by the World Health Organization found that
- More than 3 million people died globally from substance use in 2019
- Around 400 million people lived with substance use disorders
Why The Update Is Being Closely Watched
The removal of numerical drink limits, the lack of sex-based guidance and the absence of explicit references to cancer risk mark a notable departure from previous US policy and from international health recommendations.
While federal officials describe the changes as a simplification based on existing evidence, public health organisations continue to point to extensive data linking alcohol consumption to long-term health risks. The revised guidelines will remain in place until the next five-year review cycle.