The Biden‑commissioned Alcohol Intake and Health Study released Tuesday in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that a single drink a day raises premature‑death risk by roughly one in 1,000, while two drinks a day push that risk to one in 25. The analysis, based on U.S. health data, sparked immediate pushback from the alcohol industry, which called the work ideologically driven.

Industry critics pointed to a separate National Academies report that concluded moderate drinking—up to two drinks for men, one for women—was linked to lower overall mortality, though it noted higher breast‑cancer risk. That panel included members with financial ties to alcohol firms, a fact the industry highlighted to question the new study’s credibility and to protect existing market narratives.

Public‑health officials argue the findings matter for upcoming U.S. dietary guideline revisions, as the current guidance simply advises “less is better” without quantifying limits. Deputy scientific director Priscella Martinez-Matyszczyk said the paper shows “no more than one drink a day is best for health.” The study’s release may pressure lawmakers to tighten labeling and taxation policies significantly.