The Rise of the Covid Cocktail

As bars and restaurants closed their doors, many turned to stockpiling alcohol at home. According to Nielsen reports, alcohol sales surged by 21% in physical stores, while online alcohol sales skyrocketed by 234%. Consumers opted for larger quantities and higher alcohol concentrations, leading to increased consumption, particularly among those already at risk for alcohol dependency. A recent study revealed a 20% rise in binge drinking during lockdown weeks.

Similarly, unhealthy eating habits have proliferated, particularly among vulnerable populations. A significant portion of participants in a recent study reported a decline in healthy eating, with one-third acknowledging weight gain. Furthermore, 44% indicated an uptick in unhealthy snacks and sugary beverage consumption.

The Expert Recommendations

In a separate development, the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines were released. Compiled by a scientific advisory panel of 20 experts in nutrition and health, these guidelines recommend further reductions in sugar and alcohol consumption. The committee noted the troubling trend of rising alcohol intake, emphasizing that excessive consumption is a significant behavioral risk factor contributing to various health issues, social problems, and economic burdens. They advised men to limit their alcohol consumption to one drink per day—equaling the recommended limit for women—down from the previous guideline of two drinks daily.

Additionally, the expert committee revised its recommendations concerning added sugars. Previously set at 10% of daily caloric intake, the new guidance suggests that limiting added sugars to less than 6% is more in line with a healthful dietary pattern that avoids excess caloric intake from sugars. However, this advice did not make it into the official 2020 guidelines.

While the 2020 guidelines acknowledge that added sugars, particularly from sugary drinks, contribute to rising obesity rates, and that alcohol consumption is associated with specific cancers and cardiovascular diseases, no changes were made to the recommendations.

Navigating the Guidelines

You might wonder who actually follows these guidelines. Although the long-standing advice to consume five servings of fruits and vegetables daily has raised public awareness, actual adherence remains low—only 1 in 10 Americans meets this recommendation. The average American scores just 59 out of 100 on the Healthy Eating Score.

These Dietary Guidelines serve as foundational material for educational resources and policies, influencing federal nutrition assistance and school lunch programs. Thus, they carry significant implications for public health. With a growing awareness of the links between poor diets and chronic diseases, effectively communicating the underlying science is essential.

For individuals struggling to change unhealthy habits, ambiguous or inconsistent recommendations from authoritative sources can be interpreted as permission to relax their efforts. It’s all too easy to misconstrue the current guidelines as allowing men to consume up to 14 drinks weekly and to aim for a diet with 10% added sugar as a pathway to health. Many of us already recognize that we are shortchanging our health when we overlook our dietary indiscretions.

A Little Indulgence vs. Health Reality

Indeed, while alcohol and junk food can provide comfort, it’s important to acknowledge that occasional indulgence should not be entirely dismissed, especially in light of the limitations on other enjoyable activities. The surge in alcohol sales has even benefitted many retailers and food service businesses during these challenging times.

However, the underlying truth remains unchanged. The presence of multiple aisles of alcohol in health food stores like Whole Foods Market does not equate to alcohol being a nourishing whole food. It mirrors consumer demand and retailers' need to meet that demand. While wine and cake are enjoyable, evidence suggests they should be consumed in moderation; moderation should be guided not by consumer desires or profit motives, but by scientific evidence.

I wish that ice cream could be as nutritious as kale, but sadly, that is not the reality we face.

Dr. Ayala

Related: Why You Should Rethink Alcohol in Moderation