Head of US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Do not consume alcohol ‘for breakfast’

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said Wednesday that revised US dietary guidance on alcohol is intended to send a clear message about moderation and timing.

He emphasized that drinking should not be treated as a routine or daily habit.

Oz spoke to reporters following the release of the updated nutrition guidelines that move from long-standing advice that suggested Americans could safely consume up to two alcoholic drinks per day for men and one for women.

"So, there is alcohol on these dietary guidelines, but the implication is, don't have it for breakfast," he said at a White House briefing, along with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Oz described alcohol as a “social lubricant” that can bring people together, emphasizing that the perceived benefits historically associated with moderate drinking may stem more from social bonding than from alcohol.

"Alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together. In the best-case scenario, I don’t think you should drink alcohol, but it does allow people an excuse to bond and socialize, and there's probably nothing healthier than having a good time with friends in a safe way," he said.

He pointed to so-called Blue Zones, regions of the world where people tend to live longer, as an example often cited in discussions about alcohol and longevity.

According to Oz, alcohol sometimes plays a role in those cultures, but only in small amounts and typically during celebrations.

"Alcohol is sometimes part of their diet, again, small amounts taken very judiciously and usually in a celebratory fashion," he added.