New US dietary guidelines under development could recommend that Americans limit their alcohol consumption to just two drinks per week, the Daily Mail reports.
The potential shift marks a significant departure from current guidance, which allows men to consume up to two drinks per day and women up to one. The proposal is being shaped by a review of recent scientific studies on alcohol’s health effects and has already sparked debate among lawmakers, public health experts, and the general public.
The US Dietary Guidelines are updated every five years to provide evidence-based recommendations on food and beverage consumption. These guidelines influence everything from school lunch programs to public health campaigns. The current recommendations, issued in 2020, advise that men limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day and women to one. However, new scientific evidence could significantly tighten those limits.
The push for stricter guidelines is being informed, in part, by two Canadian researchers, Dr. Tim Naimi and Dr. Kevin Shields, who were also involved in Canada’s controversial recommendation to limit alcohol to two drinks per week. Both researchers are listed as advisers on a scientific review panel that is contributing to the development of the new US guidelines, which are expected to be published in 2026.
The scientific review panel is conducting meta-analyses—research that combines data from multiple studies—to assess the health effects of alcohol consumption. Their findings will be submitted to the Interagency Coordination Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), which will use the evidence to inform its recommendations.
For decades, some research suggested that moderate alcohol consumption had potential health benefits, such as reduced stress and possible cardiovascular protection. However, more recent studies challenge that notion, with growing evidence that even small amounts of alcohol consumption may increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure.
One of the most cited studies comes from the National Cancer Institute, which estimates that alcohol consumption contributes to about 75,000 cancer cases in the US each year, including cancers of the liver, colon, and esophagus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths occur annually in the United States.
Health experts like Dr. Naimi argue that “no matter what level you drink at, consuming less will be good for health.” This philosophy has gained traction in public health circles, especially following Canada’s controversial 2023 recommendation to limit alcohol to two drinks per week, which, although not adopted by the Canadian government, drew widespread international attention.
The proposal has sparked debate in Congress, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers questioning the impartiality of the advisory panel. Critics argue that some members of the review panel, including Dr. Priscilla Martinez, Dr. Jurgen Rehm, and Dr. Katherine Keyes, have previously advocated for the view that “there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.” Lawmakers have raised concerns that this perspective could bias the panel’s recommendations.
James Comer, a Republican congressman from Kentucky and chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, criticized the process, saying:
“We are concerned the HHS appears to be taking improper authority over the development of the alcohol consumption guidelines.”
Comer called for the guidelines to be based on “rigorous, sound, and objective scientific evidence” and warned against making sweeping changes without clear, impartial justification.
Further scrutiny surrounds the involvement of anti-alcohol advocates, such as Alicia Sparks, who has ties to the US Alcohol Policy Alliance, an organization that aims to reduce alcohol consumption nationwide. Her role in overseeing the ICCPUD’s alcohol study has raised questions about whether the review process is objective.
While previous dietary guidelines acknowledged potential benefits of moderate drinking, more recent research leans toward caution. Studies have linked even low-level alcohol consumption to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. This shift is reflected in the statements of some panel members, who argue there is no “safe” level of alcohol consumption.
The US Congress allocated $1.3 million in 2022 for a separate study by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to evaluate alcohol’s health effects. The findings from that study, which are expected to be released in December 2024, will likely influence the final guidelines.
The ICCPUD’s study, led by Alicia Sparks, began in early 2022 and runs in parallel with the NASEM review. Sparks has noted that the ICCPUD study will not make recommendations directly but will instead provide evidence to be used in developing the 2026-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
If the US were to adopt a “two-drinks-per-week” recommendation, it would represent a significant change for millions of Americans. According to surveys, the average American drinker consumes about four alcoholic beverages per week, well above the proposed limit. Approximately 60 million Americans engage in binge drinking at least once per year.
A reduction to two drinks per week would also affect cultural norms and social practices, as alcohol consumption is often associated with social gatherings, celebrations, and leisure activities. Some critics argue that such a shift could be seen as government overreach, while others believe it aligns with public health priorities to reduce preventable diseases.
The new US dietary guidelines are expected to be finalized and published in 2026, but the groundwork for those recommendations is already being laid. Over the coming year, the ICCPUD and NASEM will submit their findings, and advisory committees will review the evidence before making their final recommendations.
The guidelines must be approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which could add a political dimension to the process. The HHS leadership could be influenced by future appointees, including potential figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former addict who has publicly criticized alcohol use.
While some see the stricter alcohol guidelines as a positive step toward better public health, others worry it could spark backlash, especially if the guidelines are perceived as infringing on personal freedom. Regardless, the proposal has reignited discussions about the role of alcohol in society and the evolving science of its health effects.
The US may soon follow in Canada’s footsteps by recommending a sharp reduction in alcohol consumption to just two drinks per week. Supporters argue that the science shows even small amounts of alcohol can pose health risks, while critics warn that the advisory process may be biased and overly restrictive.
