When we talk about alcohol, we are really describing the effects of ethanol, a small molecule that has such a powerful impact on our bodies. The chemical formula for ethanol has only two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. It is a tiny powerhouse that can turn into a huge wrecking ball for all humans.
Supposed Alcohol Benefits as taken from popular magazines
As I write these words, a little voice pipes up in the deep recesses of my addicted brain:
“Hang on! We really never drink during the week.” (Lie.)
“And on the weekend, you only drink socially!” (Lie.)
“Besides, alcohol has a lot of benefits!” Remember, you have read somewhere that:
• red wine can actually burn fat.
• alcohol can help fight colds.
• red wine is beneficial to your heart.
• drinking moderately can improve sexual function in men.
• red wine can boost your memory.
• wine can make you live longer.
• vino can boost your vaccine’s effects.
• white wine is weight-loss friendly.
• a glass of red wine could enhance your workout.
• beer can help you recover faster post-workout.
• beer has vitamins.
• beer helps protect the brain.
• beer can strengthen your bones.
• beer can alleviate menopause symptoms.
• beer lowers heart attack risks in women.
• beer helps your kidneys.
• beer can reduce diabetes risk.
Yeah… And smoking does not harm your health! Signed, Dr. Marlboro.
Once upon a time, I believed these statements. After all, they had a shred of truth in them, and they also supported my lifestyle.
Nowadays, I have done my research. I have learned to ask why someone is telling me something. In other words, who has funded the research? Unfortunately, we are up against a trillion-dollar industry which pays clever people to change our minds.
“Drink this, and you will look handsome, sexy, and attractive. Members of the opposite sex will be drawn to you like moths to the flame!” Your brain says, “What rubbish!” yet your subconscious mind says, “Yes! Give me some of that!”.
The French Paradox — a gift for the alcohol industry
What about those statements, though? Are they lies?
No, there is a tiny grain of truth in each of those statements. For example, French physicians published a paper in 1980 about the French Paradox. French cuisine is rich in saturated fat, yet French people had a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease among Europeans. This epidemiological study and a number of others pointed to the potential benefit of moderate red wine consumption, which apparently outweighed the damage done by the rich diet. This started the Golden Years of guilt-free red wine drinking — after all, it was healthy for you! Rest assured, I fell for it as well.
It is known that a substance called resveratrol has antioxidative properties. As such, it might help the body reduce the systemic inflammation responsible for a higher risk of cancer. This substance is found in the skin of red grapes, as well as in other berries, peanuts, and some foods. And so, it all made sense.
Looking closer at resveratrol and cancer, it turns out that most of the benefits are found in in-vitro studies. This means that, in a laboratory, researchers apply a substance to cancer cells and see what happens. In contrast, in-vivo studies look at animals or humans who suffer from cancer and are exposed to the substance in question. Looking at a larger picture, it would appear that some studies have found benefits, while others have found none, and others still have discovered adverse effects. This highlights the risk of taking one statement out of one study and applying it indiscriminately to everyone and everything.
Remember the old saying, ‘If it’s too good to be true…’? The same applies to the so-called health benefits of red wine (or any other wine, for that matter). The original studies did not look at the different diets of the populations studied. In fact, the French diet in the 80s still was still part of the Mediterranean diet, which contained large amounts of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil. Meat is part of this diet in the form of lean protein from fish and poultry.
The Real Truth
Today, some 40 years after the original study was published, we have a better understanding of the impact diet has on us. In turn, the apparent benefit of red wine on our health has been debunked.
While resveratrol may have health benefits, one litre of red wine only contains between 2mg and 4mg of resveratrol. The recommended daily dose of resveratrol as a supplement is about 100 times the amount found in one bottle of wine.
In summary, the alcohol industry points out facts in studies that are often taken out of context but give the impression of scientific validity to their claims.
In reality, the most recent summary of knowledge, published in the prestigious Lancet Journal in 2018, states without doubt that there is no single safe limit for alcohol. In other words, every single glass of alcohol reduces your healthspan and lifespan. Period.
