ALI BAUMAN:
00:00:50
A new Gallup poll found the number of Americans who say they drink alcohol has fallen to its lowest level among several demographics, including women and young adults 18 to 34-year-olds, only about half of whom say they partake. I think young people might just be a little bit more wellness conscious, a little bit more health conscious.
ALI BAUMAN:
00:01:12
For the first time in Gallup's history, a majority of Americans consider drinking in moderation bad for health. CBSNewsmedical contributor Dr. David Agus. Drinking too much alcohol clearly has a major impact on all forms of health. But at the same time, it's a little bit exaggerated to say that alcohol, in small amounts, has a health negative. What constitutes small amounts? That's the key question.
ALI BAUMAN:
00:01:38
The poll also found Americans who do drink are throwing back less. Those who partake, having an average of 2.8 drinks in the past week, the lowest number since 1996. The way it's said in most of the literature is up to a drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. If it affects your sleep, to me, that's too much alcohol.
ALI BAUMAN:
00:01:59
And Americans aren't exactly swapping one vice for another. While marijuana use is higher today than a decade ago, as recreational marijuana is now legal in about half the country, Gallup found its reported use has stayed fairly steady over the past four years. If you want to maintain your cognitive function, you want to perform optimally and productively, a glass of wine can be OK with that. My hope is we don't substitute it with other things like marijuana. And Dr. Agus says it's best to talk to your doctor about your habits because there is conflicting data out there. In December, the National Academy of Medicine released a report finding moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of death. Then a month later, in January, the surgeon general issued a public health advisory that moderate drinking could increase your risk for certain cancers. Dana? All right, Ali, thank you. So much news out there. Somewhat confusing, too. I know it is. Just that last report, I thought edibles would be the reason why they're drinking less, but they're not. They're not. Yeah, just a choice of different lifestyle. Sounds like we're thinking more about our health. Yeah, overall. All right.
