Catholic alcohol consumption drops to record low as Americans rethink moderate drinking habits
“Over time, we’ve gotten a lot more clarity on the things that are bad for our health … the balance has just shifted more in favor of the evidence for negative health effects.”
Gowin pointed out that large-scale neuroimaging studies now consistently link higher alcohol consumption to reduced brain volume, reinforcing public health warnings.
The report’s author cautioned that the drop may reflect normal survey variation rather than a long-term cultural shift. (iStock)
Researchers also attribute shifting consumption patterns to broader societal changes, including shifts in social behavior and loneliness.
Much of America’s alcohol consumption has historically occurred in group settings, and changes in how people gather socially may be influencing drinking habits, they believe.
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At the same time, experts caution that a drop in general social drinking does not mean severe alcohol problems have dissolved.
“One of the things that is a bit of a contradiction … is that although the overall prevalence among all adults is down for the number of drinkers, there is actually a larger number of alcohol-related deaths in the past few years,” Gowin noted.
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“It’s not like the serious problems have gone away.”
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/catholic-alcohol-consumption-drops-record-low-americans-rethink-moderate-drinking-habits