The panel’s suggestion to limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day is based on a comprehensive review of scientific studies and data. The aim is to strike a balance between enjoying the occasional drink and safeguarding one’s health.
Experts have called for a reduction in the recommended daily alcohol limit for men from up to two drinks per day to no more than one drink per day in a report published on July 15, 2020, titled The Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Doctor and alcohol researcher at Boston Medical Center and member of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Timothy Naimi, MD, MPH, says, “This is the first time that the dietary recommendations committee focused on all-cause mortality or total mortality.” He notes that the committee used to consider drinking among the many causes of death. He explains that this time around, they analyzed all deaths that could be attributed to drinking. We looked at data going back further than just the last five years.
The health risks of excessive alcohol consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to a myriad of health issues. These include liver damage, an increased risk of certain cancers, heart problems, and addiction. By limiting alcohol intake to a moderate level, men can significantly reduce their susceptibility to these health risks.
Defining one drink
Before diving further into the benefits of moderation, it’s important to clarify what constitutes “one drink. In the context of this recommendation, a standard drink is defined as:
- 12 fluid ounces of beer (with about 5% alcohol content)
- 5 fluid ounces of wine (with about 12% alcohol content)
- 1.5 fluid ounces of distilled spirits or liquor (with about 40% alcohol content)
In the past, people were told different things depending on whether they were men or women
According to North American Menopause Society (NAMS) medical director Stephanie Faubion, MD, having multiple limit guidelines in the past made sense.
For the same amount of alcohol consumed, women will have greater peak blood alcohol levels since their volume of distribution is lower due to their higher percentage of body fat. Dr. Faubion, who heads the Women’s Health Center at the Mayo Clinic, shared his thoughts in an email. Because of gender variations in alcohol’s first-pass metabolism by the stomach (which is greater in men), “women may also have higher blood alcohol levels than men.”
Reduce men’s drinking limits from two to one
According to Dr. Naimi, a professor at Boston University’s Schools of Medicine and Public Health, “The evidence is pretty clear that for men, consuming two drinks a day has a higher risk of death than consuming one drink a day. Furthermore, he says, “We have a lot of concern that there may not be a cardiovascular benefit from alcohol, so that’s another argument for being particularly cautious.”
Men and women should both be limited to one drink, says the panel.
“At a low level of consumption, the difference in risk between men and women is minimal,” says Naimi. The meta-analysis found that both men and women faced an increased risk between consuming 0.5 and 1 alcoholic beverage daily. At modest levels of intake, the disparities between women and men, who are normally at higher risk, aren’t large enough to support a different guideline. It has been 30 years since the current alcohol guideline levels were established in 1990.
Most people who drink alcohol are men, so reducing their consumption would have a beneficial effect on society’s health.
Naimi hints at another factor that has him optimistic that the dietary rules will eventually be updated to include a daily one-drink restriction for males. Alcohol consumption is more common among men than among women, according to Naimi. Women face a larger risk as drinkers on average, but men are more likely to inflict injury because they consume more alcohol overall. If men cut back on their drinking, there would be a significant reduction in all alcohol-related health issues.
The negative effects of alcohol extend beyond the individual to the community.
In the United States, alcohol usage is still the largest preventable cause of many health and social issues. Naimi claims that if you drink alcohol, limiting yourself to one drink per day will significantly reduce the risks associated with doing so, despite the fact that studies have shown that abstaining from alcohol is best for your health.
Benefits of limiting alcohol intake
Now, let’s explore the numerous advantages of adhering to the one-drink-per-day guideline:
Improved heart health
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. It can increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels, which help protect the heart. However, excessive alcohol intake can have the opposite effect, leading to cardiovascular problems.
Weight management
A lot of the calories in alcoholic drinks are just water, so they can make you gain weight. Cutting back on alcohol consumption can aid men’s efforts to lose weight and keep it off.
Enhanced mental well-being
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to mood swings and even depression. Limiting alcohol intake can promote better mental health and emotional stability.
Addressing concerns
Some individuals may be concerned that restricting alcohol to just one drink per day might diminish their social life or enjoyment. However, it’s essential to remember that moderation doesn’t mean abstaining entirely. One can still savor the taste of their favorite drink while prioritizing their health.
Reducing people’s alcohol use is becoming a worldwide movement for health.
Recommendations for men have been strengthened and made consistent with those for women in other nations, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, and France. If the final dietary guidelines adopted this suggestion, as Naimi noted, it would be consistent with what is happening in other industrialized countries. As of March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has pushed forward with a strategy to curb dangerous alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, the panel’s recommendation for men to limit their alcohol intake to one drink a day is grounded in scientific research and health considerations. By doing so, men can enjoy the social and cultural aspects of drinking while safeguarding their physical and mental well-being.