2025-01-03
A group of U.S. scientific advisors has reaffirmed potential health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption. According to a recent report prepared for the Dietary Guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), individuals who drink moderately have a lower overall mortality rate compared to non-drinkers. The report is based on an extensive review of current research on alcohol's effects on cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive decline, and other health issues.
The panel behind this analysis was convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), a respected institution that brought together 14 experts in public health, family medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Their goal was to evaluate available scientific literature and provide evidence-based recommendations. The experts defined moderate drinking as up to two alcoholic beverages per day for men and one for women. They concluded, with a moderate level of certainty, that moderate alcohol intake is associated with lower overall mortality compared to abstinence.
The report highlights that moderate alcohol consumption is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease-related death in both men and women. However, the researchers caution that studies in this area often rely on self-reported data, which could affect the accuracy of the findings. They also emphasize that observational studies show correlation but do not prove causation.
Regarding cancer risks, the panel found moderate evidence that moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer. However, there was no conclusive evidence linking moderate drinking to other types of cancer, such as colorectal, pharyngeal, or esophageal cancer. Additionally, the panel found insufficient evidence to determine whether alcohol consumption impacts the development of dementia or diseases like Alzheimer's.
The ongoing debate about alcohol's risks and benefits comes amid pressure from groups promoting total abstinence, arguing that no level of alcohol consumption is entirely safe. Despite this, the scientific panel's findings reinforce the existing recommendations in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which have suggested since 1995 that moderate alcohol intake may offer certain health benefits, while also warning against excessive drinking.
Nevertheless, another committee could introduce changes to these official guidelines. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), which focuses on reducing alcohol consumption among young people, has launched its own investigation into alcohol's effects. Unlike the NASEM panel, the ICCPUD is using mathematical models to calculate the overall harms caused by alcohol, including health problems, traffic accidents, and alcohol-related violence.
This second committee's approach has sparked controversy, especially since most of its members come from addiction research and alcohol policy backgrounds, which some critics argue could bias their recommendations toward stricter limits. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers expressed concern over this issue in a letter addressed to the HHS and USDA secretaries, questioning the legitimacy of the ICCPUD's study and noting that the committee was neither authorized nor funded by Congress to conduct such research.
The letter, signed by 113 members of Congress and led by Representatives Mike Thompson of California and Dan Newhouse of Washington, argued that the ICCPUD should remain focused on its original mission of preventing underage drinking rather than influencing alcohol guidelines for adults. The lawmakers warned that shifting the committee's focus could harm its credibility and erode public trust in future recommendations.
As of now, the ICCPUD has not announced when it will release its findings or how they might affect the upcoming Dietary Guidelines. The debate between maintaining the current recommendations and advocating for stricter limits continues to attract attention in both scientific and political circles.
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