New federal nutrition guidelines released under the Trump administration have sparked controversy by eliminating long-standing limits on alcohol consumption. Instead of recommending specific daily caps, the updated guidance advises Americans to “consume less alcohol for better overall health,” without referencing established links between alcohol and cancer or other chronic diseases.

Public health experts say the change ignores decades of scientific evidence. Researchers widely agree that alcohol-related harm follows a dose-response relationship, meaning health risks begin at low levels and increase with greater consumption. Katherine Keyes, an epidemiology professor at Columbia University, told The New York Times that even minimal drinking carries measurable risk.

Advocacy groups argue the revised alcohol guidelines favor industry interests over public health. Mike Marshall, CEO of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance, called alcohol a “toxic, addictive carcinogen,” noting it contributes to roughly 178,000 U.S. deaths annually—a figure that has risen 30% over the past decade. Tiffany Hall of Recover Alaska criticized the absence of transparent risk data, citing research showing that one drink per day carries a 1-in-1,000 chance of alcohol-related death, while two drinks daily raise the risk to 1 in 25.

When questioned about the scientific basis for the change, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, offered limited explanation, advising only that people should not drink alcohol in the morning. He later acknowledged that while alcohol may play a social role, small amounts consumed infrequently are preferable.

Historically, U.S. dietary guidelines—first issued in 1980—recommended limits of one drink per day for women and two for men, along with standard drink sizes. Since then, growing evidence has linked alcohol to cancers of the breast, liver, colorectal system, and more. Today, many doctors and global health officials say no amount of alcohol is truly safe, warning of risks to physical and mental health even at low levels.

Key Takeaways

• New U.S. nutrition guidelines remove specific alcohol consumption limits

• Experts say alcohol increases cancer and disease risk starting at low levels

• Critics argue the guidance lacks transparency and favors industry interests

Original source: The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk

How much alcohol is too much to drink?

I actually only know one person who drinks in the morning.

David Nutt tells us that one drink a year is safe, none more.

16 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I actually only know one person who drinks in the morning.

David Nutt tells us that one drink a year is safe, none more.

One drink is too many ,, a thousand is not enough.

Haven't been drunk in over 20 years.

Most people drink to forget...

I forget to stop drinking !

It is too much when it is a regular habit irrespective of the quantity. One guy I knew, not in Thailand, would drink a case of beer every Sunday morning before 10am. Actions like that are a real problem but anyone who thinks they need a drink or two every day has a problem.

If you exercise and eat well and have good genes, you might get away with moderate daily alcohol.

Best to restrict yourself to 1 or 2 drinks on a Friday night to be safe though.

Alcohol goes through the liver and the liver is the most important organ for health. If you do drink, best to research how to detox the liver.

I only have one drink per day. I'm currently up to 29th September 2050.

21 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Alcohol goes through the liver and the liver is the most important organ for health. If you do drink, best to research how to detox the liver.

Well, all our organs are better than pianos. Son of a friend of mine was a waiter in fancy restaurants and a bartender. His liver was so far gone before age 50, he needed a transplant. Somebody has to die for you to get a new liver, and you might die before one gets to you in the queue.

Another friend had Hep C. He did all kinds of expensive detoxes, ozonated his blood aso, just so he could keep drinking red wine. Yeah, he died when it exploded but, for a couple of years before that, he was delusional, irrational.

Another friend drank a two-four of beer every day. But he stopped 20 years ago. Cirrhosis still put him in hospice till the end.

I can manage 2x small Leo or 2x wine coolers max in a day.

After that I'm done.

53 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

It is too much when it is a regular habit irrespective of the quantity. One guy I knew, not in Thailand, would drink a case of beer every Sunday morning before 10am. Actions like that are a real problem but anyone who thinks they need a drink or two every day has a problem.

I wonder who has a bigger problem? The person that needs a drink or two or the person that can't accept that someone does?

59 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

It is too much when it is a regular habit irrespective of the quantity. One guy I knew, not in Thailand, would drink a case of beer every Sunday morning before 10am. Actions like that are a real problem but anyone who thinks they need a drink or two every day has a problem.

I don't need shoes for walking either. But it sure helps.

5 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I wonder who has a bigger problem? The person that needs a drink or two or the person that can't accept that someone does?

Alcohol is a poison, though it’s your life and you’re free to live it as you please and really no business of those who are not affected by it.

51 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

If you exercise and eat well and have good genes, you might get away with moderate daily alcohol.

Best to restrict yourself to 1 or 2 drinks on a Friday night to be safe though.

Alcohol goes through the liver and the liver is the most important organ for health. If you do drink, best to research how to detox the liver.

Easy to detox if you haven't reached the point of no repair which is rare. Just stop drinking and sometimes within 2 weeks all good but it can take months and even years in rare situations. The liver is an amazing organ and can repair itself to match a healthy non drinker's liver.

Heavy drinkers usually are unhealthy regardless of alcohol and this distorts the hazards of drinking. Healthier activities but doubt mild drinking for a healthy individual is much of a concern.

I just started drinking 1-2 times a week after 8 months of detox :) Know your body and adapt :)

11 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

I don't need shoes for walking either. But it sure helps.

Drink helps as well but in a negative way..

18 minutes ago, novacova said:

Alcohol is a poison, though it’s your life and you’re free to live it as you please and really no business of those who are not affected by it.

Do you have excess sugar in your diet? It is more dangerous than alcohol. Are you extremely healthy? Again, poor health is more dangerous.

As for me I live a very healthy lifestyle and accept others don't. Having a drink or two is a pleasant experience on occasion and considering my health is not an issue. Definitely not going to preach to others and those that do usually have their own issues health issues. You're the exception I'm sure but just saying :)

The trick to drinking, if you want to, is to have elongated breaks of abstinance to allow your liver to regenerate. The liver is really good at healing itself back to normal, as long as you don't let it go too far to the point of no return. You can drink in a regular fashion or just party at the weekends but you need periods of a few months or more tee-total on a regular basis, then not so bad... stay hydrated too which many forget to do. Also, as you age, you probably want to be staying away from the top shelf as that stuff gives your organs a hard time. Each to his own though... however, I'm not a monk.

As I age I notice a gradual decline in what I can drink. Every 5 years one less bottle.

58 soon and recently noticed another reduction to two small Leo. A third is 50/50 now on being a regret.

I am good for two drinks a week. I try to go to an upscale Asian fusion type restaurant every week and I will always try a crafty cocktail, like a Jasmine old-Fashioned, or a lychee dry martini.

The second drink will be a pint of Guinness if I find myself hanging out with some guys in the pub, which is usually about once a week.

I don’t have booze in my house for Myself, but I do have a bottle of dry Chardonnay because my girlfriend likes a glass about every other day. I might join her once a week.

So call me in every other day single drink drinker

12 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

One guy I knew, not in Thailand, would drink a case of beer every Sunday morning before 10am.

What did he drink the rest of the day?

20 minutes ago, Prubangboy said:

I am good for two drinks a week. I try to go to an upscale Asian fusion type restaurant every week and I will always try a crafty cocktail, like a Jasmine old-Fashioned, or a lychee dry martini.

The second drink will be a pint of Guinness if I find myself hanging out with some guys in the pub, which is usually about once a week.

I don’t have booze in my house for Myself, but I do have a bottle of dry Chardonnay because my girlfriend likes a glass about every other day. I might join her once a week.

So call me in every other day single drink drinker

After the Guinness what do you order, presuming you stay?

I used to love the Guinness adverts back in the day, Don't be afraid of the dark.

My Dad is 87 and has been having a few vodkas every evening for a long long time.

He told me he went to his doctor and the doctor told him he needs to stop drinking.

I asked my Dad "Pops, what are you going to do"?

He replied " change doctors".

3 hours ago, sidjameson said:

After the Guinness what do you order, presuming you stay?

Soda water minow

12 hours ago, Keeps said:

What did he drink the rest of the day?

He slowed down for the rest of the day.

23 hours ago, atpeace said:

I wonder who has a bigger problem? The person that needs a drink or two or the person that can't accept that someone does?

Probably the person who feels compelled to make silly replies

It might depend on amount and strength.

Guiness - one pint

Local white whisky - on thimbleful

We never eat Fruitcake,
Because it has Rum.
And one little bite turns a man to a Bum.
What's the sorriest sight in the whole Human Race.
But a man in the gutter with Crumbs On His Face.

Away away with rum by-gum, rum by gum, rum by gum.
Away away with rum by-gum,
The Song of the Temperance Union!

On 2/4/2026 at 6:24 AM, blaze master said:

Haven't been drunk in over 20 years.

And this deserved two thumbs down?

☝️👏 Wondering the type who gives thumbs down on such a theme!

Can't remember last time I was drunk either? 10 years ago?

1 hour ago, Photoguy21 said:

Probably the person who feels compelled to make silly replies

Hmmm, to easy and I'll just let it go. Have a ncie day :)