Susan Dominus, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, navigates our complex connection with alcohol, especially during festive times. She debunks the myth of moderate drinking's health benefits, revealing no advantages at any level. Dominus discusses evolving societal views on alcohol, balancing enjoyment against health risks, particularly cancer. Personal anecdotes highlight the struggle to moderate drinking habits while considering its implications on life expectancy, prompting a re-evaluation of our relationship with alcohol.
Moderate alcohol consumption may increase all-cause mortality risk, contradicting previous health assumptions.
Personal health history and addiction susceptibility are crucial factors in assessing alcohol's impact on health.
Deep dives
Alcohol's Conflicting Health Effects
Research findings on the health effects of alcohol have been mired in contradiction for years, with past studies suggesting benefits like red wine's positive impact on heart health. However, recent comprehensive research reveals that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of all-cause mortality, contradicting prior assumptions about its health benefits.
Individual Risk Assessment of Alcohol Consumption
Individual risk factors play a crucial role in evaluating alcohol consumption's impact on health. While moderate drinking may seem harmless on an individual level, it can significantly increase the risk of alcohol-related causes of death when viewed across the population. Factors like personal health history and addiction susceptibility further complicate the decision to consume alcohol.
Complex Considerations of Social and Personal Drinking
The decision to drink alcohol involves assessing personal pleasure against potential harms and collective consequences. The societal impact of alcohol on behaviors such as violence and accidents interplays with individual benefits like relaxation and social bonding. Balancing personal choices with broader societal implications invites reflection on the true cost and benefits of alcohol consumption.
Midway through one of the booziest holiday weekends of the year, we re-examine our love-hate relationship with alcohol.
Susan Dominus, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, gets to the bottom of the conflicting guidance on the benefits and risks of drinking.
Guest: Susan Dominus, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
Research has piled up debunking the idea that moderate drinking has any health benefits.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday
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