How many drinks do you typically have in a week? Five, seven, ten—or even more? At first glance, one drink per day may not sound dangerous. However, new federal research shows that even minimal alcohol use increases health risks. Despite this, the U.S. government has chosen not to widely share these findings, leaving millions of Americans in the dark.

Earlier this month, Vox reported that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opted against publishing the Alcohol Intake and Health Study, a comprehensive review of alcohol’s impact on health. This draft report was released for public comment in January and remains accessible online. Nevertheless, officials decided not to use it for updating national drinking guidelines.

“This report and our findings were, as we were told, going to inform the new drinking guidelines,” explained Priscilla Martinez, deputy scientific director at the Alcohol Research Group and one of the study’s authors. Instead, HHS is relying on a different report that aligns with current alcohol guidelines—up to one drink daily for women and up to two for men.

According to the New York Times, some authors of this competing report have financial ties to the alcohol industry. Therefore, experts are concerned that corporate interests may be influencing health policy.

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What the Federal Study Actually Found

The Alcohol Intake and Health Study uncovered several striking findings:

• Even one drink per day was linked to cancer and other chronic diseases.
• Alcohol consumption was associated with over 200 health conditions, ranging from digestive disorders to cardiovascular issues.
• The risk of developing liver cirrhosis or certain cancers began at very low levels of alcohol use.
• Moreover, researchers identified specific cancers tied to alcohol, including breast, liver, colorectal, pharyngeal, oral cavity, laryngeal, and esophageal cancers. Although some evidence suggested a lower stroke risk among light drinkers, this benefit quickly disappeared if people exceeded one drink per day.

“There’s almost a 40-fold increase in risk for a man dying from an alcohol-related disease when he goes from one drink to two drinks a day,” Martinez stated. For women, the risk is even greater because of alcohol’s strong connection to breast cancer.

Short-Term and Long-Term Risks

Martinez emphasized that alcohol harms the body in both immediate and delayed ways.

• In the short term, alcohol causes hangovers, drowsiness, reduced focus at work, and dangerous behaviors such as impaired driving.
• In the long term, alcohol contributes to cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and multiple chronic conditions.

In addition, nutritionist Brooke Scheller—author of How to Eat to Change How You Drink—explained that alcohol also affects mood, digestion, brain function, and energy. “Yes, cancer is critical, but so are all of these other pieces,” Scheller added.

Why Suppressing the Study Hurts Americans

Alcohol was officially recognized as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization in 1988. Yet, many Americans remain unaware of the risks because education campaigns are weak. As a result, millions continue drinking without realizing how harmful it truly is.

Scheller criticized the government’s decision: “The whole thing is enraging … it’s a major, major disservice.” She believes industry lobbying plays a role. Meanwhile, other countries are moving forward with stronger warnings:

• Norway encourages “as low as possible” consumption.
• Ireland will soon require cancer and liver disease warnings on alcohol labels.
• Canada now advises no more than 1–2 drinks per week for low risk, 3–6 for moderate risk, and 7+ for high risk.

By contrast, U.S. guidelines still recommend far higher amounts, leaving Americans less informed than people in other nations.

Transparency vs. Industry Influence

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised to “make America healthy again” and promote “radical transparency.” However, suppressing this report undermines those pledges.

“If we’re trying to make America healthy and be transparent, but we’re covering up alcohol data—it’s disappointing, but not shocking,” Scheller said. Moreover, she argued that while policymakers focus on food dyes and minor risks, alcohol remains a far more dangerous and widespread threat.

How to Drink Less Without Quitting Overnight

If this research motivates you to cut back, experts recommend small, realistic changes.

• Reduce frequency: Instead of drinking every night, choose alcohol-free days.
• Lower quantity: If you usually drink three on Saturday, scale down to two.
• Check ABV carefully: Many craft beers contain 8–9% alcohol, making them equal to 1.5–2 standard drinks each.
• Switch beverages: Non-alcoholic beers, wines, and mocktails are now widely available.
• Seek support: Podcasts like Sober Powered and books such as The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober can provide motivation.

In addition, if you suspect alcohol use disorder, speak with your doctor or a licensed professional. The SAMHSA National Helpline (800-662-HELP) is also available nationwide for confidential support.

Bottom Line

The science is clear: alcohol carries risks even at one drink per day. While this truth may be uncomfortable, Americans deserve accurate information so they can make informed decisions.

As Martinez put it: “The science shows that even one drink a day increases risk. It may not be pleasant to hear, but people have the right to know.” Therefore, withholding this report is not only misleading—it’s a public health failure.