Americans Consider Moderate Alcohol Consumption Harmful

• 53% of Americans consider moderate alcohol consumption harmful
• Only 54% of adults in the USA consume alcohol
• Alcohol consumption among young people has been decreasing over the past several years

Washington — According to a new Gallup poll, fewer Americans are reporting alcohol consumption, as the perception that moderate drinking is harmful increases, which even suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is risky for health. On this day, a record percentage of adults in the USA, 53%, believe that moderate alcohol consumption is harmful, which is a significant increase from 28% in 2015.

With the increase in perception regarding the impact on health, only 54% of adults in the USA report consuming alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine, or beer. This is the lowest figure in the last three decades.

The survey, conducted in July, indicates that after many years, when many people considered moderate drinking safe or even healthy, new perceptions about alcohol consumption are emerging. Even those who drink alcohol, drink less.

The federal government is updating new dietary recommendations, including recommendations regarding alcohol. Earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic showed an increase in alcohol consumption in the USA. But new data indicate a decrease in certain types of consumption, especially among adolescents and young people.

While previously moderate drinking was considered beneficial for heart health, in recent years medical professionals indicate that alcohol consumption leads to negative health outcomes and is one of the main causes of cancer.

About two-thirds of young people aged 18-34 believe that moderate drinking is unsafe, up from 40% in 2015. Among people over 55, a similar proportion also believes that alcohol is harmful, which is a significant increase from 20% in 2015.

Currently, dietary recommendations from the government advise Americans not to consume alcohol or, if they do, to limit consumption to two drinks per day for men and one for women.

It is expected that new recommendations will be published later this year under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy-Moloney, who promised significant changes.

According to Gallup data, alcohol consumption among young Americans is expected to decrease over the next several years, which will likely lead to an overall decrease in alcohol consumption in the country.

Currently, alcohol consumption is one of the lowest in the history of polling, which began in 1939. Nearly a quarter of Americans who consume alcohol report that they drank in the last 24 hours, which is a record low figure.

Tags: USA/Well-being