Low numbers of Americans consume alcohol, and an overwhelming majority perceive it as harmful to one's health.
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have issued updated guidelines that strongly advise reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption to help prevent and manage high blood pressure.
According to the new recommendations, those who drink should limit their intake to no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Ideally, complete abstinence is encouraged for better management of blood pressure.
This shift towards less alcohol use reflects growing recognition that consistent alcohol intake can be more harmful than beneficial for cardiovascular health. The new guidelines are part of a broader lifestyle change that also includes reduced sodium intake, weight management, regular physical activity, and stress management to achieve blood pressure goals of less than 130/80 mm Hg.
The call for reduced alcohol consumption comes at a time when the trend is already heading in that direction. A Gallup poll from this week indicates a record low number of Americans are drinking, with 54% stating they consume alcohol at all. Adults age 35 to 54 have reduced their drinking by 10 percentage points since 2023, and those 55 and older by five.
Even among drinkers, consumption is decreasing. A record low 24% of drinkers reported having a drink in the past 24 hours. The decrease in drinking spans across all age groups, with Gen Z drinking less than older generations.
The updated guidelines follow mounting evidence against alcohol consumption due to its health risks, negating a decades-long perception that some moderate drinking could be beneficial to health. Earlier this year, Former US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned that alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk and called for an updated health warning label on alcoholic beverages.
The updated AHA/ACC guidelines advocate for significantly limiting alcohol consumption—even to the point of abstinence—as an important strategy in the prevention and management of high blood pressure.
Dr. Katherine Keyes, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, stated that it's heartening to see this message about alcohol's health risks penetrating the American public. The USDA and HHS guidelines are expected to be released by the end of the year, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a policy document that sets nutrition standards, are currently being revisited regarding alcohol consumption.
References: 1. Link to AHA/ACC Guidelines 2. Link to Gallup Poll 3. Link to Dr. Vivek Murthy's Statement 4. Link to USDA/HHS Guidelines 5. Link to Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Read also:
- Increased Chikungunya infections in UK travelers prompt mosquito bite caution
- Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister holds discussions on the prevailing circumstances in Almaty
- Researchers Create Implantable Gadget for Instant Inflammation Surveillance
- Undermining Authority in HHS: Actions by RFK Jr. Damage Expert Consensus
