> At a Glance
> – CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz says “small amounts” of alcohol are okay
> – New guidelines drop specific daily limits for men and women
> – Critics say the change downplays serious health risks
> – Why it matters: The shift could leave millions unsure about safe drinking levels
The Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines have stripped away hard numbers on alcohol, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is defending the move-claiming the old limits lacked solid evidence.
What Changed
Released on January 8, the updated advice no longer tells men to cap intake at two drinks a day and women at one. It simply urges adults to “consume less alcohol for better overall health” and lists situations where abstaining is smartest-pregnancy, certain medications, addiction history, or being under 21.
Oz, overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, told reporters:
> “Alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together.”
He added that longevity studies often include modest drinkers, concluding:
> “There was never really good data” backing the previous gender-specific caps.
Industry Influence Alleged
Public-health voices disagree sharply:
- Lawrence Gostin, Georgetown health-law director, accused the administration of “bowing to the alcohol beverage industry”
- Nutritionist Marion Nestle pointed out the vagueness: “Limit to what? That is exactly the question”
- Columbia epidemiologist Katherine Keyes warned the dose-response risk “starts even at low levels”
| Old Recommendation | New Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Men: ≤2 drinks/day | Consume less |
| Women: ≤1 drink/day | Consume less |
| Cancer/death warnings included | Warnings removed |
Key Takeaways
- Daily drink limits have disappeared, replaced by a generic “drink less” message
- Oz argues moderate drinking aids social bonding and lacks proven harm
- Experts say no safe level exists and fear industry pressure shaped the shift
- People under 21, pregnant women, and those with addiction history are still told to abstain
The guidelines rewrite leaves consumers interpreting “less” on their own-while researchers insist any amount carries measurable risk.
