What is the recommendation for alcohol consumption in the dietary guidelines?

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for women and two for men. This guideline helps clarify what is the recommendation for alcohol consumption in the dietary guidelines, but also comes with important caveats about overall health and safety.

Quick Summary

US dietary guidelines define moderate alcohol intake as up to one daily drink for women and two for men, advising non-drinkers not to start for health reasons. Recent evidence highlights increasing health risks, including cancer, even within these limits, emphasizing that less is better for health.

Key Points

Moderate Consumption Defined: U.S. dietary guidelines recommend up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Not a Recommendation to Start: The guidelines emphasize that non-drinkers should not start consuming alcohol for any perceived health benefits.
Standard Drink Sizes Vary: A standard drink is defined as 12oz beer, 5oz wine, or 1.5oz of distilled spirits, but can be larger in practice.
Risks Even at Moderate Levels: Emerging evidence indicates that even moderate drinking may increase the overall risk of health issues, including certain cancers.
Binge Drinking Is Dangerous: Exceeding daily limits in a short period (binge drinking) poses immediate and serious health risks.
Certain Individuals Must Abstain: Pregnant women, those on specific medications, and individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder should avoid alcohol completely.
Global Guidelines are Shifting: Some countries, like Canada, have adopted more cautious guidelines, emphasizing that lower consumption is better for health.

The Official U.S. Recommendation

The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025) provide specific recommendations for alcohol consumption. For adults of legal drinking age who choose to drink, the guidelines advise moderation: limiting intake to up to two drinks per day for men and up to one drink per day for women. This is not a recommendation to start drinking or to drink more frequently. The guidelines explicitly state that no one should begin drinking, or drink more often, based on a potential health benefit. The aim is to reduce the overall risk of health problems associated with alcohol use.

Defining a Standard Drink

Understanding what constitutes a standard drink is essential for following the guidelines. The CDC defines a standard drink in the US as containing 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. This is equivalent to:

12 fluid ounces of regular beer (at 5% alcohol by volume)
5 fluid ounces of wine (at 12% alcohol by volume)
1.5 fluid ounces of distilled spirits (at 40% alcohol by volume or 80 proof), such as vodka, rum, or gin

Be aware that serving sizes can vary, and some beverages may contain higher alcohol content than average.

The Evolving Science and Emerging Health Risks

While the current guidelines address the risks of excessive drinking, newer evidence suggests health risks may exist even with moderate alcohol consumption. Organizations like the CDC and the National Cancer Institute have raised concerns about the link between alcohol and certain cancers. Some research now questions the idea of moderate drinking providing health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular health. The scientific evidence on alcohol is being reviewed for the upcoming 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines.

Binge Drinking and Associated Dangers

Binge drinking is strongly discouraged by the dietary guidelines. Defined as reaching a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher (typically 4+ drinks in 2 hours for women, 5+ for men), it leads to immediate dangers like injuries and alcohol poisoning. It also increases the likelihood of long-term health problems associated with heavy drinking.

Who Should Avoid Alcohol Completely?

Certain individuals should not consume alcohol at all, including:

Pregnant women or those who may become pregnant
Individuals under the legal drinking age
People taking medications that interact with alcohol
Those with a history of alcoholism or alcohol use disorder
People with certain medical conditions
Anyone planning to operate machinery or drive

Comparing U.S. and Canadian Guidelines

Global approaches to alcohol recommendations differ as research evolves. Here's a comparison of U.S. guidelines with recent Canadian guidance:


Feature	U.S. Dietary Guidelines (2020-2025)	Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health (2023)
Recommended Limit	1 drink/day for women, 2 drinks/day for men	Low risk: 1-2 drinks/week; Moderate risk: 3-6 drinks/week; High risk: 7+ drinks/week
Daily Limit	Up to 1 for women, up to 2 for men	No more than 2 drinks on any single day
Emphasis	Focus on 'moderation' for those who choose to drink.	Focus on harm reduction and the continuum of risk. Less is better.
Rationale	Based on evidence reviewed prior to the guidelines' publication.	Reflects recent evidence showing increased risks even at low levels of consumption.

Navigating Choices and Considering Your Health

For those who drink, informed choices are vital. This means considering your overall health, medications, and personal risks, not just staying within numerical limits. Mindful drinking practices, such as alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, having alcohol-free days, and choosing lower-alcohol options, align with the evolving science and prioritize health.

Conclusion

The current dietary guidelines recommend moderate alcohol consumption, defining limits of up to one drink per day for women and two for men. However, this is not a suggestion to start drinking, and the guidelines caution against starting for health reasons. Research continues to highlight the link between alcohol and various diseases, with some health bodies suggesting lower limits. Understanding the risks at all consumption levels allows individuals to make the best decisions for their health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moderate drinking is defined as up to one alcoholic drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. This advice applies to adults of legal drinking age who choose to consume alcohol.

No. The dietary guidelines explicitly state that no one should begin drinking, or drink more frequently, on the basis of any potential health benefits. The risks associated with alcohol consumption outweigh any perceived benefits.

A standard drink in the U.S. contains 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Exceeding the guidelines increases the risk of various health problems, including liver disease, cardiovascular issues, pancreatitis, certain cancers, and alcohol use disorder.

Certain individuals should avoid alcohol entirely, including pregnant women, those on certain medications, people under the legal drinking age, and those with a history of alcoholism or specific medical conditions.

Recent scientific findings, particularly those linking alcohol to cancer risk, are causing public health bodies to reconsider their recommendations. Some countries, like Canada, have already moved to lower, more cautious limits.

Binge drinking is consuming 4 or more alcoholic drinks for women or 5 or more drinks for men on a single occasion, typically within two hours.

The notion of health benefits from moderate drinking is increasingly debated, with recent evidence suggesting that any level of alcohol consumption may pose health risks. No government health agency recommends that individuals start drinking for health reasons.