When I began my career as a registered dietitian many years ago, the primary concerns consumers had about their food purchases revolved around fat, sugar, salt, and calories. Today, however, the food industry has undergone a significant transformation. Supermarket aisles, fueled by media hype, attract shoppers with labels such as gluten-free, no preservatives, no artificial colors, non-GMO, no added growth hormones, and antibiotic-free. The focus has shifted from enjoying food for its taste, nutritional value, and social aspects to a fear-driven approach to food consumption.
The trend of non-GMO claims extends even to unexpected products, including vodka. But does non-GMO vodka offer any health benefits compared to its conventional counterparts? To answer this, we need to examine the truths and misconceptions surrounding GMO foods, particularly in relation to vodka.
First, it’s essential to clarify that GMOs are not inherently harmful. Agricultural biotechnology, or GMO, is simply a technique that allows crops to be grown similarly to organic or conventional methods. By inserting a single genetic trait from another plant into the crop’s DNA, farmers can create varieties that resist pests, tolerate drought, or enhance nutritional content. With less than 2% of the workforce involved in farming today, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers must produce more food using limited land and water resources as the population continues to grow. As urban development encroaches on farmland and water scarcity increases, the need for efficient agricultural methods becomes critical.
Currently, there are only ten GMO crops approved in the U.S., including corn, which is often used in vodka production. However, vodka can also be made from grains like sorghum, rice, and wheat, none of which typically involve GMOs. Therefore, labeling vodka as “non-GMO” when made from these grains is misleading.
Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that DNA is present in all cells, which consist of proteins. Since alcohol, including vodka, contains no protein, it is devoid of any DNA. Consequently, there is no way to differentiate between vodka made from GMO corn and that made from non-GMO corn at a molecular level; they are indistinguishable.
Importantly, vodka should not be misconstrued as a health beverage. Excessive alcohol consumption results in nearly 88,000 deaths annually and is associated with various cancers, including those of the head and neck, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, along with organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, recommend limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. Recent studies indicate that the lowest risk of mortality from all causes among current drinkers is found in those who consume no more than 3.5 ounces of alcohol weekly.
In light of these facts, we need to return to fundamental principles regarding food choices. Consumers should prioritize understanding what is actually in their food—focusing on balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats—rather than worrying excessively about what isn’t included. Furthermore, food companies should market their products based on taste, nutrition, and value, rather than fear-mongering.
Lastly, it is crucial for journalists to engage in thorough investigative reporting to uncover why agricultural technologies, which a comprehensive 600-page National Academy of Sciences report from 2016 deemed safe, have become so disparaged despite their widespread acceptance by over 90 government agencies globally. In this context, the use of calcium citrate, a beneficial nutrient for bone health, should also be highlighted as part of a balanced diet rather than being overshadowed by unfounded fears surrounding GMOs.
By focusing on nutrition and taste, and by understanding the science behind our food, we can foster a healthier attitude toward what we consume and embrace the advancements that agricultural technology offers.