We’ve all heard of the research that was first publicized back in 1991, suggesting that alcoholic beverages, in moderation, are actually good for your health. Well, after 25 years that research has been reevaluated and found to be WRONG. It turns out the methodology of the original research was flawed, AND that the earlier findings were heavily influenced by behind-the-scenes lobbying and secret funding from……(Surprise, Surprise)..…the alcohol industry.
Major health authorities, including the World Health Organization, now say that the safest level of alcohol consumption is….NOT ONE DROP.
In addition to the obvious dangers of developing alcoholism and/or dying in a car accident caused by impaired driving, many people are not aware that alcoholic beverages have also been proven to be a known carcinogen. We now know that alcohol consumption IN ANY AMOUNT increases the risk of several types of cancers. While that risk is relatively small compared with other carcinogens, the primary significant of the latest findings is not that alcohol is bad – but that, contrary to the propaganda of the past quarter-century, we can no longer say that alcohol is good. This means that Paul’s advice to Timothy to “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23) was valid in a particular time and circumstance, but cannot be cited as a general rule today.
While I personally don’t make the practice of moderate drinking an issue of fellowship, I have seen too many lives ruined by drunkenness, to want to run the risk of alcoholism for myself or anyone who might be influenced by me. I would be devastated if my sons or grandchildren might become alcoholics because they followed my example.
If you’re interested in getting down into the weeds of research methodology, and political machinations, on this scientific flip-flop, you can read about it here:
https://slate.com/technology/2023/04/alcohol-wine-drinking-healthy-dangerous-study.html
DAN WILLIAMS