A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans are drinking less than ever before, with a record low of just 54% of adults reporting they consume alcohol. The survey, which has tracked drinking habits since 1939, also shows a historic shift in public opinion regarding alcohol's health effects.

For the first time, a majority of Americans—53%—now believe that even moderate drinking (one to two drinks per day) is bad for their health. This finding reflects a growing awareness of public health messages, according to Dr. Katherine Keyes, an epidemiologist at Columbia University.

The decline in consumption isn't limited to a single age group. While Gen Z has a reputation for drinking less, the poll found that adults aged 35 to 54 have reduced their drinking by 10 percentage points since 2023, and those 55 and older have also cut back by five percentage points.

Recent health recommendations and scientific research appear to be influencing these trends. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recently updated their blood pressure guidelines to recommend abstaining from alcohol entirely, moving away from previous limits. Additionally, mounting evidence has challenged the long-held belief that some alcohol consumption could be beneficial.

The new findings from the poll come as federal officials are reviewing the long-standing alcohol recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While scientific evidence may support lowering the current limits, it remains to be seen if the new guidelines, expected later this year, will reflect these findings, CNN reported.