Dr. Oz explains new alcohol guidelines: ‘Don’t have it for breakfast’

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, explained new federal guidelines recommending alcohol use in moderation, saying the takeaway should be “don’t have it for breakfast.”

Oz said that federal officials are recommending moderation — rather than abstinence — because booze facilitates social relationships, which can have beneficial health effects.

“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,” Oz said at a White House briefing.

“You look at the Blue Zones, for example, around the world, people live the longest. Alcohol is sometimes part of their diet. They get small amounts, very judiciously inducing the slopes… but the implication is, don’t have it for breakfast.”