New US Dietary Guidelines Include Changes to Alcohol Guidance
New federal dietary guidelines announced by the Trump administration on Wednesday include a dramatic shift in alcohol consumption.
The new guidelines, which are updated every five years, provide information on alcohol moderation rather than specific drink limits, as have been included in the past.
The new dietary guidelines for Americans instruct the Americans “limit alcoholic beverages,” a change from previous guidance that suggested U.S. adults age 21 and older limit consumption to two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.
The new guidelines also make no distinction between alcohol consumption recommendations for men and women, although scientific research has shown that the sexes metabolize alcohol differently.
The new guidelines, which also urge Americans to eat whole foods, incorporate healthy fats, prioritize protein-rich foods and consume full-fat dairy with no added sugars, were announced Wednesday by Trump administration officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, with support from Dr. Marty Makary, who heads the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, director from the Centers for Medicare. & Medicaid Services.
At a news conference Wednesday, Oz stated that previous restrictions on alcohol consumption were not based on any specific type. There is no scientific evidence on how many alcoholic drinks per day are recommended, despite studies showing increased health risks from alcohol consumption.
The World Health Organization It says that there is no amount of alcohol that is safe. and the former surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, asked alcohol manufacturers Update your labels to be clear about the cancer risks from alcohol consumption.
When asked at the White House press conference to explain the science behind the new alcohol guidance, Oz said alcohol was a “social lubricant” that helps bring people together.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, speaks during a news conference at the White House, Jan. 7, 2026, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP
“So alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together. At best, I don’t think you should drink alcohol, but it does give people an excuse to bond and socialize,” Oz said.
“And there’s probably nothing healthier than having a good time with friends in a safe way. If you look at blue zones, for example, around the world, where people live longer, alcohol is sometimes part of their diet. Again, small amounts are taken very judiciously and usually in a festive way. So there is alcohol in these dietary guidelines, but the implication is that you don’t have it for breakfast, right? This should be done in a small amount, hopefully, with some kind of event that may include alcohol. he added.
The new recommendations on alcohol have drawn criticism from groups such as the US Alcohol Policy Alliance, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce alcohol-related illnesses, deaths and injuries, according to its website.
“Given how deeply embedded alcohol is in American life, the public deserves clear, honest information about the risks of drinking so they can make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities,” Mike Marshall, the organization’s executive director, said in a statement.
Marshall said the updated guidelines do not address the connection between alcohol use and cancer risk or the connection between alcohol and violence and other long-term risks associated with underage drinking.
Over time, drinking alcohol increases the risk of certain cancers, such as stomach and pancreas, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol use disorders, according to he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC defines binge drinking as 15 or more drinks in a week for a man or 8 or more drinks in a week for women. A standard drink is 12 ounces of regular beer, 8 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of a glass of wine, and 1.5 ounces of liquor. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
TO World Health Organization The 2024 report, which broadly analyzed global substance use among people aged 15 and older, showed that more than 3 million people died from substance use in 2019, and 400 million people were living with substance use disorders, which can have a number of negative health impacts.
He American Heart Association says that alcohol does not protect heart health and that any possible benefits seen in previous studies probably reflected differences in lifestyle rather than the alcohol itself. The AHA links alcohol consumption to higher blood pressure, higher triglycerides, irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, and an increased risk of stroke and heart failure, especially as consumption increases.
If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSA) confidential, toll-free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For information and resources on health problems and alcohol-related problems, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) website HERE.
