The Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Dr.
George Koob, has suggested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) may soon recommend that Americans limit themselves to just two drinks a week.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dr. Koob stated that the USDA could revise its alcohol recommendations to align with Canada's guidelines, which advise residents to consume no more than two drinks per week.
Currently, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that men should limit themselves to two drinks per day, while women should limit themselves to one drink per day. However, these guidelines are currently under review and are expected to be published in 2025.
Dr. Koob explained, "If there are health benefits, I think people will start to re-evaluate where we're at [in the U.S.]. So, if alcohol consumption guidelines were to change, they would likely move towards Canada's recommendations."
He further emphasized that the perceived benefits of alcohol are more closely related to an individual's diet and socio-economic status than to the act of drinking itself. Dr. Koob highlighted the Mediterranean diet as an example, which is high in fats and proteins but low in carbohydrates. This diet has been associated with protection against inflammation and heart disease.
Recent reports have indicated a significant increase in Americans' alcohol consumption. As such, Dr. Koob's comments on potential changes to alcohol guidelines have sparked interest and debate among health experts and the general public alike.
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