The U.S. could potentially introduce alcohol consumption guidelines similar to those of Canada, suggesting citizens limit their intake to two drinks weekly. George Koob, the lead at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), shared these thoughts in a recent interview with the Daily Mail.
At present, U.S. recommendations suggest a daily limit of two drinks for men and one for women. These guidelines are slated for reassessment in 2025. Comparatively, Canada advises only two drinks per week. Koob, a self-professed moderate drinker, expressed curiosity about Canada’s approach.
Commenting on the topic, Koob stated that any positive effects usually associated with alcohol consumption likely stem from dietary factors rather than the alcohol itself. He mentioned factors like the Mediterranean diet and socio-economic status, which can impact dietary choices, as potential reasons. However, he acknowledged alcohol’s role in social situations, referring to it as a “social lubricant.”
In response to Koob’s comments, Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls expressed discontent, accusing certain figures of attempting to control Americans’ choices. He humorously referred to a past incident involving JFK and Cuban cigars to highlight perceived contradictions in regulations.
Amanda Berger, representing the Distilled Spirits Council, criticized Koob’s early stance on the issue. She emphasized the importance of scientific backing before making any drastic changes to established guidelines, pointing out that current recommendations have been stable for over 30 years.
NIAAA’s present definition of excessive drinking includes more than four drinks in a day or 14 weekly for men. For women, it’s more than three drinks in one day or seven weekly.
This potential shift in alcohol guidelines is one of several recent initiatives by the current administration that has faced scrutiny. Another controversial move involved proposed restrictions on the use of gas stoves, which underwent revisions following challenges regarding their predicted consumer savings.
An updated analysis from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicates that the initially projected savings from these stove regulations might be overestimated. This shift in data drew attention from industry associations, such as the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which questioned the DOE’s calculations.
Despite challenges from various quarters, the DOE remains committed to its initial standards and could finalize them in the coming months. Earlier this year, the department stated these regulations, aimed for 2027, would help Americans save approximately $1.7 billion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This proposal, however, faced opposition from different industry groups, political parties, and market entities. In a recent development, the House approved the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which intends to halt the DOE from setting tougher standards on stoves.
