“We all know binge-drinking is dangerous. But what about a cheeky glass of wine while cooking dinner, or a couple of cold ones after work?

The persistent myth that moderate drinking is healthy comes from studies finding that moderate drinkers are healthier and live longer than binge drinkers and teetotalers. Many of these studies failed to control for wealth, health and other social factors.

Wealthy, healthy people tend to be moderate drinkers, whereas binge drinkers and non-drinkers tend to be poor and/or sick (and that is why they quit drinking). In other words, it is not alcohol causing good health, it is wealth.”

Read more from Stuff (New Zealand, April 2022)