The Wine Debate: Moderation vs. Risks
So wine is bad for you because of the alcohol content. But so is sunshine (melanoma), red meat (cholesterol), sugar (diabetes & heart disease) and age (you name the ailment, we’ve heard them all.) How about just consuming all these things in moderation? Don’t eat like a glutton. Don’t bake your skin in the sun. Don’t consume sodas & candy bars all day. Don’t drink with abandon.
But that age thing, well, growing old is better than the alternative.
Our current Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity, and can increase the risk for at least seven types of cancer. Pushing the issue further, in February The World Health Organization/Europe called for ‘mandatory labeling, prominent cancer warnings labels.’
But in past years moderate red wine enjoyment was deemed a healthy behavior. Just recently another advisory released in mid-December by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, concluded moderate drinkers have a lower risk of death and cardiovascular disease than people who don’t drink at all. That report linked drinking to a slight increase in risk for breast cancer, but no other cancers.
among men & women who drink alcohol or exercise
moderately .
Another view comes from Rand research published December of 2024 on dementia‘s incidence in U.S. 60 to 80-year-olds. It digs deep into all lifestyles, demographics and geographic location. They touched upon alcohol consumption and found, “Alcohol consumption is also predictive of dementia incidence; the incidence and prevalence of dementia are the lowest among those with moderate alcohol consumption, and the risk is elevated among those who never drink or who drink excessively.” Their PDF research, a 36 page study can be found here. Nearby is a chart from their research showing the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. Graphic E & F show the sweet spot is 1-3 drinks per occasion. A weakness in their research is failing to define per occasion. Is this daily, weekly, monthly?
Where is the middle ground here? Who is right?
In this age of technological isolation, joining friends for a drink or lingering over a glass of wine discussing your day with a partner is conducive to a happy and healthy life. Alcohol has been a social lubricant for thousands of years and should continue to grace our lives.
| We say, eat, drink, and be merry….. We’ll quote one of our favorite singer/songwriters Jimmy Buffett, on this subject singing ‘Growing Older But Not Up‘. He sings, “I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead.” |
We’d rather sip some California wine while exploring life’s queries, mysteries and beauty conversing with friends than sit alone and friendless. Things that bring us together instead of isolating us are to be cherished.
Wine is one of these wondrous catalysts.
What else is bad for us: butter, bread, gluten, caffeine, pastries, cheeses from unpasteurized milk and now wine (alcohol?) Every couple of months there is some new life style, food or beverage monster to avoid. Are we supposed to feel guilty for the things that bring pleasure and a fulfilling life?
535-years-ago Western Europe powered their growth through the Renaissance with beef, pork, grains, beer and wine. Why eliminate these powerful energy sources from a diet serving them (and us) so well: powering art, freedom and exploration of the world.
405-years-ago our Puritan founders tried abstinence from vices that took a bad turn. They decided to hunt and murder people as witches. Perhaps they should have discussed this over a glass of wine or beer before grabbing pitchforks and accusing others of mayhem.
105-years-ago our country experimented with Prohibition to reduce drinking and alcoholism while hoping to decrease domestic violence and child abandonment. All hell broke loose. This era saw a rise in organized crime, corruption among law enforcement, a black market for alcohol, increased smuggling and declines in tax revenue as people found illegal ways to enjoy alcohol. You’ve heard of Speakeasies? These times are fodder for many movies, novels & media.
We say, eat, drink, and be merry. Life is a bit too short wasting time worrying about things like this prospective Prohibition 2.0 since the guidelines given today will change over time.
We’ll quote one of our favorite singer/songwriters Jimmy Buffett on this subject singing ‘Growing Older But Not Up‘. He sings, “I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead.”
Another consequential thinker, John Steinbeck, said it succinctly in his last book, ‘Travels With Charley,” penning these words, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
We’ll stick with the wine. Live life fully.
Some notes on our wine ranking system.
Bill & Erin Hodge write about California Wine, the estates & winemakers producing them and educational information about Vino. Living in California Wine Country provides a front row seat to the places you want to visit the most here in the Golden State.
– -✰ means -What’s next on your list of wines
-✰ means -Not liking it too much
✰ means -We’ll drink this wine, especially if it’s hosted!
✰+ means -You’ve got our attention and we might buy this wine.
✰+ + means -We’re hooked and we’re going to buy this wine.
When you see -✰/✰+ with a slash, it means we disagree.