The speakers discuss the growing public health message about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, regardless of the amount. They explain how even small amounts of alcohol can have negative effects on health, while also acknowledging the appeal of alcohol due to its impact on the brain.
What with Christmas parties and work drinks, this time of year can feel like one long hangover. But a new generation of alcohol-free alternatives is emerging which claim to offer the fun of alcohol without the painful morning-after. Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample are joined by science correspondent Hannah Devlin to sample some of these drinks and interrogate the science behind them. Help support our independent journalism at
theguardian.com/sciencepod