(Washington, D.C., Tuesday, January 12, 2021) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These Dietary Guidelines are released every five years and form the basis of all federal food and nutrition policies, programs and communications for the next half decade.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) congratulates the USDA and HHS on the completion of a multi-year process to update these Dietary Guidelines to reflect the latest evidence on diet and health. The recommendations align with the AICR’s 10 Cancer Prevention Recommendations.

AICR’s top three cancer prevention recommendations are:

• Be a healthy weight;
• Be physically active; and
• Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.

However, AICR is disappointed that the USDA and HHS did not incorporate the recommendation from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report that alcohol intake be limited to no more than one drink per day for men, on days when alcohol is consumed.

Instead, the Dietary Guidelines have retained the outdated advice that men may consume up to two alcoholic drinks per day. The scientific report from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee found that the current evidence justifies tightening the alcohol guideline for men to no more than one drink per day, to match the recommended limit for women.

AICR recommends that, for cancer prevention, it is best not to drink alcohol.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) helps the public understand the relationship between lifestyle, nutrition and cancer risk. AICR works to prevent cancer through innovative research, community programs and impactful public health initiatives. Find evidence-based tools and information for lowering cancer risk, including AICR’s Recommendation for Cancer Prevention, at www.aicr.org.