For decades, alcohol has occupied a curious place in conversations about health. Alongside well-established risks, many people have also heard that drinking small amounts of alcohol, particularly red wine, might actually be good for the heart. A new 52-minute video conversation with alcohol researcher Dr Tim Naimi takes a detailed look at where that idea came from and what current evidence tells us.

Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, explains how observational studies can make moderate drinkers appear healthier than they really are. The discussion looks at issues such as the “sick quitter” effect, where people who stopped drinking because of health problems may be counted among abstainers, potentially making the comparison with current drinkers misleading.

The conversation also looks directly at alcohol and cancer. Naimi discusses how alcohol can damage DNA and explains why alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. The programme goes on to examine cardiovascular disease, drinking levels, alcohol use disorder and the question of how much alcohol is too much.

Published on 24 September as part of the A Whole New Level podcast, the discussion is available as both a video and audio podcast. The accompanying page also provides a full transcript, timestamps and links to the scientific evidence discussed, making it particularly useful for anyone who wants to explore the subject further.

Find more from Levels (September, 2026)