Biden czar’s suggestion of limiting alcohol intake to two drinks weekly irks alcohol industry.
Alcohol Industry Representatives Displeased with Proposed Changes to Alcohol Guidelines
Representatives of the alcohol industry were taken aback by a leading Biden administration official’s suggestion to reduce alcohol consumption. George Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), revealed in a recent interview that he was contemplating revising the United States’ health recommendations regarding alcohol. Koob expressed interest in Canada’s decision to limit alcohol intake to just two drinks per week, a move that did not sit well with the alcohol industry.
“It is extremely alarming and inappropriate for a federal official to predetermine the outcome of the Dietary Guidelines and suggest changing decades of precedent without the benefit of the scientific review to support such a sweeping move,” tweeted Amanda Berger, Vice President of the Distilled Spirits Council, which represents numerous alcohol companies.
Koob, who admitted to enjoying a few glasses of Chardonnay each week, expressed his desire to align the U.S. alcohol guidelines with those of Canada. He stated, “If there are health benefits, I believe people will start to reassess our current situation in the U.S.”
Currently, the recommended alcohol intake for women is up to one bottle of beer, a small glass of wine, or a shot of spirits per day, while men can have up to two. However, these guidelines may change by 2025.
Koob also expressed skepticism regarding the alleged physical benefits of alcohol. He stated, “Most of the benefits people attribute to alcohol are actually more related to their diet rather than their drinking habits. It’s really about the Mediterranean diet and socio-economic status, which enable individuals to afford such a diet and prepare fresh food. With this in mind, most of the health benefits associated with alcohol tend to diminish.”
Nevertheless, Koob acknowledged the social benefits of alcohol, referring to it as a “social lubricant.”
However, it is important to note that alcohol has several detrimental effects on one’s health. According to a 2021 report from the American Cancer Society, alcohol is responsible for as many as one in 20 cases in the U.S. Additionally, another study found that alcohol increases the risk of heart disease by 1.4 times.
The review process for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025 to 2030 is currently underway, although the new draft will not be published until the end of 2025.
In January, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction recommended that Canadians limit their alcohol consumption to only two beverages per week. This decision sparked significant debate within the country.
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