Some years ago, a local Italian restaurant displayed a placard reading “A day without wine is a day without sunshine”. That message would probably attract disappproval nowadays, when there are so many warnings about alcohol-related damage to health. While the risks and benefits of drinking continue to be disputed I continue to have a glass of wine with dinner on most evenings, though I intend to give it up for Lent.
In 2022 the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a statement in The Lancet to the effect that no level of alcohol consumption is safe, primarily because even small amounts can promote cancer growth. However many published studies have reported that light to moderate drinkers have lower mortality than teetotallers, and a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. The research methods have sometimes been criticised and the evidence is conflicting. Perhaps it is too difficult to generalise because the effects of drinking vary so much between populations, and between individuals, depending on genetic makeup and lifestyle factors.
Heavy drinking is obviously harmful and people who are pregnant, have a history of alcoholism or of certain medical conditions are advised not to drink at all. But for those of us with no contraindications, any risks of light-to-moderate intake (up to 14 units a week) must be weighed against the benefits of pleasure, relaxation and sociability as well as possible cardiovascular protection. And the Mediterranean diet, widely recommended as a healthy eating pattern associated with longevity, includes red wine with meals.
After Easter I will go back to drinking wine, though not too much of it. As I get older I agree with the saying that one glass is medicine but two are poison.
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On a different topic – nine of my ebooks are currently FREE in this year’s Smashwords sale. They are listed on the site https://books2read.com/jenniferbarraclough. Please note the promotion will end on March 8th, and only applies to the Smashwords versions – from other retailers they are still full price.
Jennifer Barraclough 