In recent years, the alcohol industry has received its fair share of scrutiny as spirited debates continue regarding the safest level of consumption. Most recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) stunned the public with its declaration that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.” However, according to a report published Wednesday from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), moderate drinking actually comes with some health benefits, including a lower risk of all-cause mortality.
The report, “Review of Evidence on Alcohol and Health,” was conducted in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) using a $1.3 million Congressional allocation. The results are intended to help inform the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which must be updated every five years by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). By law, the recommendations — which are set to be updated in 2025 — must be grounded in the best available scientific and medical knowledge.
