The move is the latest in a lively debate about the risks of moderate drinking ahead of the update of the US national dietary guidelines, writes The New York Times.
For decades, the guidelines on alcohol have been based on old theories that moderate drinking is linked to fewer deaths from stroke and heart attack. However, a growing number of studies have shown clear links between drinking – even within recommended limits – and various types of cancer.
Written in 1988
According to Vivek Murthy, head of the federal health authority HHS, alcohol contributes annually to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 related deaths.
Therefore, he wants to see expanded warnings on bottles.
Many assume that there are no health risks as long as they stay within the current guidelines of one unit per day for women and two for men, says Murthy to The New York Times.
In addition to today's alcohol warnings aimed primarily at drivers and pregnant women – warnings that in the US have not been updated since 1988 – consumers should be informed about the increased risk of, among other things, breast, colon, and rectal cancer, he believes.
Does not drink
For this to become a reality, the US Congress must take a stance on the issue, and it is unclear whether the new government will support Murthy's proposal.
Neither incoming President Donald Trump nor appointed Health Minister Robert F Kennedy drinks alcohol, notes The New York Times.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no amount of alcohol is "safe" to drink. A number of studies have shown that the risk of cancer types where alcohol passes through the body, such as mouth, throat, colon, liver, rectal, and breast cancer, increases with each glass.
According to the National Board of Health and Welfare's recommendations, healthcare should offer support to individuals who have risky alcohol consumption.
Risky alcohol consumption is defined as drinking any of the following: 10 standard glasses or more per week, or 4 standard glasses or more per drinking occasion once a month or more often. The limits are the same for both men and women.
There are, however, times when alcohol should be completely avoided, such as before the age of 18, during pregnancy, and before an operation.
One standard glass of alcohol contains 12 grams of pure alcohol. This corresponds to, for example, 50 cl of folk beer, 33 cl of strong beer, a small glass of wine, or 4 cl of spirits.
The National Board of Health and Welfare previously classified consumption exceeding 14 standard glasses per week for men and 9 standard glasses for women as risky consumption, i.e., 15 and 10 glasses, respectively.
Source: The National Board of Health and Welfare
