Introduction
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines are an important tool for helping Americans make healthy food choices. However, the latest guidelines have come under fire for downplaying the health risks associated with certain foods. While the guidelines do recommend limiting certain foods, such as processed meats, they do not go far enough in emphasizing the potential health risks associated with them. This article will explore the science behind the health risks associated with certain foods and why the new guidelines may not be doing enough to protect Americans’ health.
New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Downplay This Health Risk, Science Says
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services recently released the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide evidence-based nutrition advice for the general public. While the guidelines focus on promoting healthy eating habits, they also downplay a major health risk: the consumption of processed meats.
Processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats, are high in sodium, fat, and cholesterol. They are also linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. However, the new guidelines do not mention this risk, instead focusing on the importance of eating a variety of foods and limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
The omission of processed meats from the guidelines has been criticized by some health experts, who argue that the guidelines should be more explicit about the health risks associated with their consumption. They point to the World Health Organization’s 2015 report, which classified processed meats as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that they cause cancer.
Despite the criticism, the USDA and HHS have defended their decision to downplay the health risks associated with processed meats. They argue that the guidelines are intended to provide general advice on healthy eating, and that the risks associated with processed meats should be discussed in more detail by healthcare professionals.
Ultimately, the new dietary guidelines provide important advice on healthy eating habits. However, it is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with processed meats, and to discuss them with a healthcare professional.
The U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) and the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) launched a new set of dietary pointers on Tuesday meant to tell wholesome meals selections and insurance policies within the nation for the subsequent 5 years. The doc included steerage for toddler and toddler diets for the primary time ever, in addition to new recommendation for pregnant and breastfeeding girls. Regardless of this progress, the scientific group is elevating issues about one space the place suggestions weren’t up to date: alcohol consumption.
Scientists on the Dietary Pointers Advisory Committee really helpful that steerage for secure alcohol consumption wanted to be revised from two drinks a day for males and one drink a day for girls to 1 drink a day for each women and men, in response to CNN. However the web site for the brand new pointers claims “there was not a preponderance of proof within the materials the committee reviewed to help particular modifications, as required by legislation.” Consequently, the USDA and DHHS keep that “average consumption” of alcohol for males, which is taken into account secure, equals as much as two drinks a day. (Associated: The One Vitamin Docs Are Urging Everybody to Take Proper Now.)
Representatives from the medical group keep that such recommendation is deceptive. Dr. Nigel Brockton, the vice chairman of analysis for American Institute for Most cancers Analysis, stated in an announcement to CNN that conserving the two-drinks-per-day guideline implies that there’s a secure amount of alcohol for males to eat each day, when in actuality, there may be not.
“That recommendation is opposite to the convincing proof that consumption of even lower than one drink per day elevates the danger for a number of most cancers sorts, together with head and neck, esophageal, and breast cancers,” the assertion reads.
Whereas authorities companies and scientists can not seem to agree on how a lot alcohol is definitely secure, consuming alcohol each single day, regardless of the quantity, is extra harmful than chances are you’ll assume. Do not consider us? Learn up about What Occurs To Your Physique If You Drink Alcohol Each Day.
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