Bourbon Pursuit 543 - The Dangers of Binge Drinking to our Health with Dr. Ulysses Wu
Is your love of high-proof, perfectly aged bourbon actually good for you? Or are we all just telling ourselves that? Today, we're tackling the elephant in the whiskey room with the science: Dr. Ulysses Wu (Yuli), the Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare. Uly's personal journey is wild—from corporate finance to infectious diseases—and now he focuses on the intersection of alcohol, health, and longevity. He joins us to share his personal bourbon journey and how he accidentally procured some seriously rare Stitzel-Weller when nobody was looking. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into: The Calorie Problem for barrel-proof bourbon, Uly's concept of "firewalls" (the human ability to curb excess), why robust long-term health studies on alcohol are so difficult to conduct, and the profound psychological impact of bourbon, which Uly calls a "time machine" for positive memories. This is a mandatory listen for anyone who loves brown water and wants to understand the science behind drinking healthily and responsibly.
Show Notes:
- Introduction to Dr. Ulysses Wu (Uly), Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare
- Uly’s surprising career shift from corporate finance to infectious diseases
- The connection between alcohol, health, and longevity
- Uly's personal bourbon journey, including the accidental procurement of rare Stitzel-Weller
- Scientific discussion on the true caloric content of barrel-proof bourbon
- Analysis of "firewalls"—the psychological ability to prevent excess in consumption
- Challenges of conducting robust, long-term health studies on alcohol consumption
- The psychological power of bourbon as a "time machine" for positive memory creation
- Advice for drinking bourbon responsibly and healthily
- Alcohol and Health Research and Data from Dr. Wu
- Support this podcast on Patreon
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