Decline in alcohol consumption among Americans revealed, with recent abstainers sharing their motivations
In the United States, beer remains the most preferred alcoholic beverage, but the landscape of alcohol consumption is changing. The Department of Health and Human Services is considering revised guidelines on alcohol consumption, reflecting a growing recognition that even moderate alcohol consumption may have negative health effects.
Recent research has highlighted several concerns. New blood pressure guidelines now advise reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, as small amounts can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans still recommend limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women, but there is a growing scientific consensus that the supposed health benefits of moderate drinking are not strongly supported, and the risk of harm is more evident.
Some experts advocate treating alcohol more like tobacco, recommending warning labels due to its carcinogenic risks. Agencies like the US Preventive Services Task Force emphasize screening and counseling to reduce unhealthy alcohol use, reflecting a public health push to address alcohol-related harms broadly.
The U.S. drinking rate has shown a three-year decline, with the lowest number of Americans reporting alcohol consumption in nearly 90 years, according to Gallup. This decline is not attributed to a shift towards other mood-altering substances, particularly recreational marijuana, as Gallup's research suggests.
Interestingly, the drinking habits of Democrats have remained relatively steady, while Republicans have reported a sharp drop in drinking habits over the past two years. Contrary to industry assumptions, Gen Z is drinking more alcohol than before.
The global analytics and advisory firm has noted research supporting the "no amount of alcohol is safe" message, and Gallup's press release states that current research points to health risks even at low amounts of alcohol consumption, regardless of beverage type. Furthermore, a Gallup Poll shows more Americans than ever are choosing not to drink alcohol, and a majority now believe that moderate alcohol consumption is bad for health.
These revised guidelines reflect new scientific evidence and a cultural shift recognizing that moderate alcohol consumption may not be as safe or beneficial as once believed, prompting calls for more cautious recommendations and transparency in labeling.
- The growing scientific consensus on the lack of strong health benefits from moderate drinking, and the more evident risk of harm, has led some experts to advocate for treating alcohol like tobacco, suggesting the use of warning labels due to its carcinogenic risks.
- New research indicates health risks even at low amounts of alcohol consumption, regardless of beverage type, prompting a cultural shift in which more Americans are choosing not to drink alcohol and believing that moderate alcohol consumption is bad for health.
- The Department of Health and Human Services is contemplating revised guidelines on alcohol consumption, reflecting this new scientific evidence and the cultural shift recognizing that moderate alcohol consumption may not be as safe or beneficial as once believed, necessitating more cautious recommendations and transparency in labeling.
