Is a Glass of Wine Harmless? Wrong Question.
AtlanticJUL 2023
Report: US to Drop Daily Alcohol Limits from Dietary Guidelines
Above: Closeup of young people rising cocktail in glass for a celebratory toast. Image copyright: Anastasiia Krivenok/Moment/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The proposed changes reflect sound scientific judgment by removing arbitrary daily limits that lack robust evidence. The pro-abstention crowd has veered towards a nigh-prohibition mindset, ignoring that the pleasure of moderate drinking, especially socially, likely outweighs the downfalls. The pendulum has swung too far toward banning alcohol entirely, even when the evidence is not entirely clear.
Narrative B
This is a shameful capitulation to the alcohol industry. Alcohol, even in moderation, has real negative health benefits and likely no positive ones. The science has begun to settle on this matter, and the U.S. will be a total outlier by showing no regard to evidence-based public health. This will undo work done in highlighting the harm of alcohol.