Dr. Oz Warns ‘Don’t Drink Alcohol For Breakfast’ Amid Trump Admin’s New Dietary Guidelines
Former talk show host and current director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Öz joined Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a meeting. White House briefing Wednesday and expanded new federal guidelines recommending moderate alcohol consumption.
Trump administration just released 2025-2030 nutrition guide undermined Longstanding guidance that Americans limit alcohol consumption Two or fewer drinks per day for men and one or less per day for women.
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Describing alcohol as “a social facilitator that brings people together,” he said they are “generally moving away” from the stated limit because “there has never been really good data to support this amount of alcohol consumption.”
“This data is likely primarily mixed with broader data on social connection,” he added.
Alcohol is briefly mentioned in the new guidelines; The USDA states that people should “consume less alcohol for better overall health” and avoid alcohol if they are pregnant, taking certain medications, or have a family history of alcoholism.
The new guidance also does not mention that alcohol is a known carcinogen that can cause and increase the risks of various types of cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention And National Cancer Institute.
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On Wednesday, Oz suggested that drinking could be used as a social outlet, which could have beneficial effects on health.
“I think in the best-case scenario, you shouldn’t drink alcohol, but it gives people an excuse to bond and socialize, and there’s probably nothing healthier than having a good time with your friends in a safe way,” he said.
Oz’s comments came after a reporter asked him to “explain the science behind” the new language.
He cited the world’s “blue zones,” which include certain parts of the world such as Greece and Japan, where people are thought to live significantly longer, healthier lives, as an example of healthy alcohol consumption, adding that they “consume small amounts very cautiously and often celebratory.”
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“So there is alcohol in these dietary guidelines, but what that means is no alcohol for breakfast,” he continued. “This should be something to do in a small amount at some type of event where alcohol might be added.”
You can watch the White House briefing below. (Dr. Oz makes his remarks around 30:54).
