Why alcohol's health effects are hard to assess

Physician-scientist Randall Stafford studies the effects of alcohol use on population health – the true health impact, he emphasizes. Stafford explains how early research suggested that drinking is beneficial – or at least not bad – for people. That mindset produced decades of wishful thinking based on inconsistent science driven by social, emotional, and industry forces. The small cardiovascular benefits, he says, are far outweighed by the risks of cancer, liver disease, depression, and other ills. Although the harms of low-level consumption are small, there is no safe level of alcohol use, Stafford tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: ​​Randall Stafford

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• Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Randall Stafford, a professor of medicine at Stanford University.

(00:03:35) Challenges in Alcohol Research

Why cultural norms and study limitations complicate evidence.

(00:03:56) Historical Perspectives on Drinking

How early studies suggested benefits and why those conclusions shifted.

(00:09:12) Risk, Dose, and Drinking Patterns

The increased risks with binge drinking and higher doses of alcohol.

(00:12:15) Health Benefits vs. Lifestyle Enjoyment

Clarifying what alcohol does—and does not—provide medically.

(00:13:37) Alcohol and Mental Health

The bidirectional effects between alcohol use and mental health.

(00:17:37) Broader Mental and Social Effects

Alcohol’s connection to bipolar disorder, unemployment, and social harm.

(00:20:12) How Alcohol Myths Persist

Why simplified conclusions endured despite contradictory data.

(00:22:46) Changing Cultural Attitudes

Cultural trends toward reduced drinking and alcohol-free periods.

(00:25:49) Alcohol and Liver Disease

The effects of alcohol beyond heavy use, including metabolic disease.

(00:27:29) Strategies to Reduce Harm

Way to reduce alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking.

(00:29:25) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: avoiding alcohol, research needs, and studying liver disease.

(00:31:04) Conclusion

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

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