Alcohol guidelines included in new Norwegian dietary recommendations

20.08.2024 - The Norwegian Directorate of Health has officially included alcohol in its latest dietary guidelines, which were presented during Arendalsuka. This change comes after the initial draft of the guidelines, released earlier this year, omitted any reference to alcohol, sparking significant backlash from health experts. These experts highlighted the well-documented negative health effects of alcohol consumption, advocating for its inclusion in the official recommendations.

Responding to these concerns, the Directorate has now incorporated advice on alcohol consumption into the subtext of the seventh dietary guideline, which primarily advises drinking water. The guideline states: "It is recommended to drink water when you are thirsty, with meals, and during physical activity. Sugary drinks, such as soda, energy drinks, fruit drinks, and iced tea, should be limited. Alcohol intake should be as low as possible from a health perspective."

This addition has been met with a mixed response. Trine Stensen from Blå Kors expressed satisfaction that alcohol has finally been included in the dietary guidelines, noting that alcohol is a substance that should be consumed with caution due to its health risks. "The guidelines are a tool to promote better health in the population. People listen to good advice," Stensen commented.

Inger Lise Hansen, the Secretary General of Actis, also welcomed the change but criticized the decision to include alcohol only in the subtext rather than as a standalone guideline. "We would have preferred to see alcohol highlighted as a separate point to make it even clearer how harmful it is to health," Hansen stated.

The Directorate has refrained from setting a specific lower limit for what could be considered a safe level of alcohol consumption. According to the Directorate, establishing such a threshold is not possible due to the lack of comprehensive scientific evidence. Hansen supported this decision, pointing out that a fixed limit could easily be misinterpreted as a safe level of consumption. "If you want to make good health choices, you should avoid alcohol altogether," she added.

Additionally, the Directorate announced plans to release a separate guide specifically addressing alcohol consumption. Both Actis and Blå Kors have voiced their support for this initiative, emphasizing the need for public education to enable informed decisions about alcohol consumption. "Dietary guidelines are just that—guidelines. Ultimately, individuals must make their own choices, and those decisions should be based on knowledge," Hansen concluded.

The updated guidelines reflect a cautious approach to alcohol, urging the public to minimize intake for health reasons. This move aligns with growing concerns about the broader health impacts of alcohol, particularly its role in increasing the risk of diseases such as cancer and its contribution to overall caloric intake.

The full set of dietary guidelines, including the new recommendations on alcohol, can be accessed through the Norwegian Directorate of Health's website.