Alcohol Industry Challenges Study Linking Light Drinking to Health Risks

A study published by the government on Tuesday highlighted the health risks associated with consuming alcohol starting with just one drink per day. The research ignited controversy, particularly from the alcohol industry.

The study found that consuming one alcoholic beverage daily increases the risk of premature death from alcohol-related illness or injury, albeit at a small rate—affecting one in 1,000 people. However, the risk escalates significantly to one in 25 for individuals who consume two drinks a day, a quantity traditionally viewed as safe for men. The study appeared in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

The Alcohol Intake and Health Study was part of a broader effort during the Biden administration to reassess the U.S. dietary guidelines. Another study, conducted by a panel from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), offered contrasting conclusions. It indicated that moderate drinking, defined as up to two drinks daily for men and one for women, could be healthier than abstaining. However, moderate consumption was linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Notably, some panelists of this report had financial ties to the alcohol industry.

The second report aligned with the alcohol industry’s stance. Industry representatives criticized the Alcohol Intake and Health Study, dismissing it as ideologically driven and scientifically questionable. They maintained that they had shared their reservations with government officials over several years.

Upon releasing the new dietary guidelines in January, the Trump administration recommended that Americans should drink less for health improvement but did not specify daily limits. This approach marked a shift from previous guidelines.