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Long gone are the days when alcohol was considered beneficial for your health. In 1991, a French researcher made headlines by claiming that red wine consumption was responsible for the good health of the French. This led to academic papers suggesting a link between red wine and cardiovascular health. One compound, called resveratrol, was even theorized to explain the supposed benefits of red wine. However, doubts soon emerged regarding the validity of these claims, and in recent times, the narrative of “alcohol is good for you” has been completely debunked. Researchers now argue that even moderate alcohol consumption can be harmful, leading some, including the Canadian government, to recommend abstaining from alcohol altogether.
It is clear that excessive alcohol consumption has significant physical and emotional consequences. However, recent rhetoric advocating for complete abstinence fails to acknowledge the value of pleasure and goes beyond the sound advice of avoiding heavy drinking. Public health advice often prioritizes health outcomes at the expense of other considerations, such as enjoyment. This pleasure-agnostic approach can result in absurd recommendations, as seen in the case of questioning the health benefits of orgasms. The point of orgasms is not to improve health, but rather to provide enjoyment.
Applying a lexicographic standard to public health advice limits the discussion to health effects alone, disregarding other aspects like pleasure. For example, a similar standard applied to meat consumption would prioritize eliminating the risk of E. coli by always eating well-done burgers, despite the loss of taste. This absolutist approach often fails to consider the negative unintended consequences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some officials advocated for long-lasting school closures without fully weighing the detrimental effects on children’s well-being.
When it comes to alcohol, pleasure-agnosticism would only make sense if substantial harm could be attributed to even moderate drinking. However, the available data is flawed, as most studies are observational rather than randomized. The largest study on the link between alcohol consumption and diseases like cancer and heart disease found minimal effects at moderate levels of drinking. While the relationship between alcohol and health remains complex, it is unlikely that moderate alcohol consumption is inherently “bad” for one’s health.
Ultimately, if alcohol is not enjoyable or preferred, abstinence may be the best choice. However, for those who derive pleasure from occasional drinks, a moderation standard is more reasonable considering the inconclusive data. It’s important to acknowledge that alcohol is not a miracle elixir for longevity, but it is also not a toxic substance. As Cookie Monster famously said, alcohol is a “sometime food.”
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