A review of alcohol consumption in women found that smaller amounts of alcohol (about 1 drink per day) spread out over four or more days per week had the lowest death rates from any cause.
Human history is all about pendulums.
If a cultural phenomenon is in vogue, vociferously defended, or, at the far end of the spectrum, touted as the only correct path while all other alternatives are roundly demonized, you can count with almost total accuracy on that swing reversing. Give it time.
And so I find we’re in an interesting moment.
Following a huge spike in alcohol consumption during the covid pandemic, when we all really needed those margaritas just to survive a Tuesday, a backlash has been well underway for several years. We’re not at the apex yet but we’re getting there. In many regards, this was a necessary correction to a blatantly boozy few years. But we humans don’t love middle of the road. We must always go further, and further means zero!
Alcohol consumption is currently in the crosshairs of public opinion, with governments and public officials denouncing it as the root of all ills, from addiction, to broken families, to cancer, to brain and heart disease. The World Health Organization released a statement claiming that ‘no level of alcohol consumption is safe’ (I wonder if any employee of the WHO ever went to France or Italy on holiday).
The temperance movement has continued unabated with the widespread North American adoption of Dry January, Sober October, and Dry Curious - which is an all-the-time event, of course.
We’ve witnessed these swings in the past. Consider the Great War followed by the Roaring Twenties, a party that lasted a decade. In the U.S., of course, the Great War was followed by Prohibition, which was the making of many millionaire bootleggers, including Joseph Kennedy. Notably, Europe did not get on board with this movement. Canada briefly got its feet wet and then did an about face, making immense fortunes off its southern neighbours.
But I digress. Let’s talk about the here and now.
It’s about degree
It’s safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose.
I do not mean in any way to suggest that alcohol is good for everyone, or in every circumstance. Of course not.
Many struggle with addiction. Others, including my own daughter, are allergic to it. Still others don’t need it or want it. Health conditions hamper others, and obviously pregnant or breast feeding women should stay clear. And that’s all fine.
But let’s talk about the rest of us. There is a healthy argument for moderate drinking to be un-demonized.
I do not ascribe to Sober October. Ditto Dry January. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see the point. I feel 100% comfortable with having a glass of wine or a beer a few nights a week. If I’m being entirely truthful, whenever I feel like it. This doesn’t mean I’m getting smashed on the regular. Just the opposite.
Moderate drinking has been how humans have been getting by for millennia.
Recently, the world has been drifting into a state of extremes. I don’t need to tell you this. It’s writ large whenever you glance at the news. In a future era, we may look back and realize that extremism was showing up in all sorts of interesting ways in 2025.
When it comes to alcohol consumption, it’s either dry season or it’s open season (think January vs. July, or October vs. December). The in-between gets lost in the shuffle. It’s not sexy, it’s not loud, and it certainly doesn’t have a marketing team.
Yet the science backs that boring middle ground.
Moderate drinking decreases the risk of heart disease in both men and women.
While 3-5 drinks a day carries an increased risk of breast cancer in women (along with plenty of other risks), that risk plummets with 4-6 drinks per week.
The two studies from which almost all the hysteria stems have been found to have serious problems, including conflicts of interest and sample size. Read more about them here.
The “J” curve study is perhaps one of the best visuals of the protective benefits of moderate drinking. This analysis of 34 studies reflects that a low to moderate level of drinking is associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to abstainers. Risk increases significantly with heavy drinking, not surprisingly. This creates a visual pattern resembling a "J" shape.
Of the five Blue Zones (the geographical locations with the most centenarians), four of these populations consume, on average, one drink a day. Though there has been some recent controversy surrounding the validity of just how many centenarians these areas hold - civic reporting being spotty - the fact remains that a high proportion of the given population is hale and hearty.
“People in all blue zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly. Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink 1-2 glasses per day (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine), with friends and/or with food. And no, you can’t save up all week and have 14 drinks on Saturday”.
Dan Buettner
And then there’s the ‘je ne sais quoi’ of relaxing at the end of the day, sharing a glass of wine, camaraderie, and conversation. All the data in the world can’t factor in the benefit of meeting a friend for a drink, pursuing the ageless tradition of lollygagging without intent or purpose, philosophizing about everything and nothing, and sharing a uniquely human moment.
It’s called happy hour for a reason.
This can be just as easily done over a cup of tea, of course. Alcohol doesn’t hold a monopoly over camaraderie. But we should all have the choice to have the occasional tipple without judgment or apology. The French word for ‘cheers’ is ‘santé’, which is directly translated to ‘health’.
As usual, the French have the right idea.
Further Reading (that’s awesome, even if it’s not science)
Looking for a wine to pair with a meal this weekend? Check out the lovely wine connoisseur and expert
of Shades of Grape (thank you Eveline, for pointing me to the ‘J curve’ study!)- ’s witty, wise and funny Dry January, Goats, and Snakes
The Surprising Reason Dry January is a Bad Idea, by Ronnie Koenig. Laugh out loud funny
I’m Heather.
I’m a licensed naturopath, an unlicensed free spirit, an author, a mother, a yogi, a mystic, a goofball, an average but enthusiastic dancer.
Most of all, I’m curious.
I’m on a mission to bring you on a magical mystery tour of wellness, whimsy, and wanderlust. Thanks for tuning in.
Though I am always hesitant to share data suggesting moderate drinking is “healthy,” I do think there is always worth in pointing out that happiness is healthy.
Agree wholeheartedly with this. Thank you for writing and for sharing a link to my thoughts too!