Drinking More Than One Alcoholic Beverage a Day Increases Death Risk, Federal Review Warns

A new federal review has revealed that drinking over 1 drink daily significantly raises the death risk, urging experts to consider stricter guidelines on alcohol consumption. The report, released on January 14, 2025, highlights the health effects of alcohol consumption, linking excessive intake to liver damage, mental health issues, and various cancers. This raises concerns about alcohol use death risk findings, prompting calls for updated recommendations on alcohol use in the U.S.

The alcohol and death risk study 2025 shows that consuming more than one drink a day can lead to a higher likelihood of premature death. In the United States, individuals who consume more than seven drinks per week face a 1 in 1000 risk of dying from alcohol-related causes. This risk increases to 1 in 100 for those who exceed nine drinks per week, according to the federal review of alcohol health risks.

This review is part of a broader effort to inform the update to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It follows a previous report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which also addressed key dietary concerns. As the U.S. prepares to revise its recommendations, the federal report on alcohol death risk could lead to stricter policies around alcohol labeling and consumption.

Current Alcohol Consumption Guidelines

At present, the guidelines suggest men limit themselves to two drinks per day, while women are advised to have no more than one drink per day. However, the new findings on drinking daily increases death risk are pushing experts to advocate for more stringent recommendations regarding alcohol consumption and health risks.

Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption is tied to a wide range of health problems, including liver damage, brain disorders, addiction, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. In a recent statement, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for changes to alcohol labeling, urging clearer warnings about its connection to seven types of cancer. However, updating these labels would require Congressional action.

Dr. Timothy Naimi, one of the authors of the alcohol death risk federal report, explained that exceeding one drink per day increases the risk of death from alcohol-related causes. He emphasized that even though the risk might seem small, it is significant from a public health perspective.

The review analyzes a variety of studies, summarizing the alcohol use death risk findings to estimate deaths attributed to alcohol. However, Naimi noted that the true health risks of alcohol are likely underestimated due to research limitations.

Varying Risks of Alcohol Consumption

The federal review of alcohol daily consumption findings highlight that the impact of alcohol on death risk can vary widely depending on individual factors such as smoking, diet, physical activity, genetics, and underlying health conditions.

For individuals drinking one alcoholic beverage per day, the leading contributors to premature death include injuries and cancer. In men, injuries—such as accidents, road incidents, and violence—account for a significant portion of the risk. Cancer, particularly colorectal and liver cancers, also plays a major role in the increased risk of death. For women, cancer, especially breast cancer, presents a comparable or even greater risk than alcohol-related injuries.

Conclusion

The alcohol consumption death risk revealed in this federal review calls for an urgent reassessment of alcohol consumption guidelines. The alcohol consumption and health risks highlighted in the report emphasize the need for greater public awareness and stronger health policies to address the risks associated with drinking, particularly daily alcohol use. As experts continue to examine the alcohol and death risk study 2025, it is clear that more stringent measures are necessary to protect public health.