By Dr. Joseph D. Lim
Stronger labeling policies should disclose the health risks of drinking alcohol.
This is what prominent consumer protection and safety groups in America said on June 19, calling on their government to include alcohol in efforts to reduce chronic disease.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) led 24 consumer organizations in a letter to the Treasury Department and the Health and Human Services Department. In America, most alcoholic products are regulated by these departments.
The impact of alcohol on the development of chronic disease in both children and adults was highlighted in an open letter led by CSPI, a prominent food and health watchdog in the United States.
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of illness, disability and death and are the leading drivers of health care costs in America, according to the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (US CDC). Most chronic diseases are caused by a short list of risk factors: smoking, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.
One of the most common chronic diseases in the United States today is tooth decay. One in six American children aged six to 11 years and one in four adults have untreated cavities.
Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems eating, speaking and learning. On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care, and almost $46 billion is lost in productivity due to dental disease, according to the CSPI.
Gum disease, tooth decay and mouth sores are all much more likely common for heavy drinkers. In fact, alcohol abuse is the second most common risk factor for oral cancer.
Alcohol use also results in the development of various dental diseases. Alcohol may adversely affect salivary glands which in turn may lead to tooth decay. Alcohol can cause irritation and inflammation of oral soft tissues including the gums and tongue.
Non-carious destructions of teeth like dental erosion are also related to regular alcohol drinking. Non-carious dental issues are the loss of tooth structure that are not caused by tooth decay. Non-carious loss of tooth surface like abrasion and erosion is caused by normal physiological process, including ageing. It occurs throughout life, and can affect tooth function, esthetics or may even cause pain.
Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 178,000 deaths in the United States each year, including one in five deaths among adults aged 20 to 49 years, according to the US CDC. Binge drinking is responsible for over one-third these deaths.
In 2010, excessive alcohol use cost the US economy $249 billion, or $2.05 a drink. $2 of every $5 of these costs were paid by the public, the US CDC says. Three-quarters of these costs were due to binge drinking.
The consumer groups emphasized the need for stronger labeling to provide key nutrition, ingredients and allergen information.
“It is simply impossible to improve the health of American families without reducing the excessive and harmful use of alcohol,” said Mike Marshall, CEO of the US Alcohol Policy Alliance.
“Alcohol kills more Americans each year than opioids and guns combined. Additionally, drinking too much results in over 4.2 million emergency room visits and almost two million hospitalizations each year.”
While the alcohol content itself is the most harmful component, additional elements in alcoholic beverages may also contribute to chronic disease, the CSPI said in a press statement.
“On average, alcohol accounts for nine percent of daily calories for those who drink,” said CSPI registered dietitian and policy associate Christina LiPuma.
“People generally don’t have a chance to see that their alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories and sometimes added sugars, saturated fat or sodium.”
Sugar too is a significant cause of oral health issues. That’s because bacteria in the mouth thrive on sugar, producing acids that irritate gums and erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
Alcoholic drinks may contain dyes, allergens or additives that should be included in labeling.
The consumer organizations are recommending that alcohol labeling policies should also implement a cancer warning recommended by the US Surgeon General earlier this year and mandatory labeling of nutrition, food allergens and ingredients on alcohol.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De La Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./WDJ