To Drink or Not to Drink? A Fun, Informative Chat
Nocoholics interviews Dr. Ginny Tonic, a leading expert in health and wellness — who, admittedly, doesn’t really exist. In this conversation, we explore the impact of alcohol on our bodies and why choosing non-alcoholic options can be a smart, health-conscious decision. Don’t worry, Dr. Tonic’s advice is 100% real — even if she’s not.
Nocoholics: Dr. Ginny Tonic, thank you for joining us today! To start, when did you decide to stop drinking, and why?
Dr. Ginny Tonic: Oh, thank you for having me! I come from a family with a long drinking history — I grew up on a vineyard in the Bordeaux area, so wine was practically in my blood. But after becoming a health scientist, I learned how alcohol really affects the body. I stopped drinking about ten years ago, and honestly, I haven’t looked back. Once you see the data, it’s hard to ignore!
Nocoholics: You don’t drink at all? Not even a glass of red wine for good health?
Dr. Ginny Tonic: Nope, not even a sip. I switched to grape juice. Let me bust the red wine health myth for you: One often-cited health catalyst associated with red wine is the antioxidant resveratrol. Resveratrol naturally occurs in grapes, peanuts, and berries and has a proven, positive impact on heart health. Alcohol, however, is a toxin and develops in red wine through fermentation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies alcohol as a group 1 carcinogen, just like tobacco. So, while moderate consumption of red wine may decrease your chance to suffer a heart attack through resveratrol, it may increase your chance to develop cancer through alcohol. Health is not a zero-sum game. The positives effects of resveratrol do no cancel out the negatives of alcohol. If you’re drinking red wine for its health benefits only, you are better off just drinking grape juice like me.
Nocoholics: I’d rather eat peanuts, I think. Why is sobriety so much better for my health?
Dr. Ginny Tonic: Listen, I get it. The first effects of alcohol feel great, and I’ll admit, grape juice isn’t quite as exciting. When you consume alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream through the mouth, stomach, and small intestine and distributed throughout the body, including the brain. There is a sudden shift of atmosphere, like stepping into a warm, glowing light. The world softens, its edges blur and the air around you suddenly becomes more exciting. But then alcohol is metabolized by the liver and converted into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound. In the short-term, acetaldehyde causes hangovers. The warm, glowing light fades. The world is cold and sharp again, its edges now painfully clear. In the long-term, regular alcohol consumption leads to cumulative exposure to acetaldehyde, which can cause liver damage, cancer, and mental health issues. If you don’t drink alcohol, you avoid these risks altogether. While a single drink does not lead to immediate harm, consistent consumption, even in moderate doses, contribute to long-term health risks.
Nocoholics: I have long thought about reducing my alcohol intake. How much can I drink without risking my health?
Dr. Ginny Tonic: The WHO’s opinion on alcohol consumption is clear and unambiguous. A study published in The Lancet in 2018 concluded that the safest level of alcohol consumption is zero. Protective effects for heart disease and diabetes are completely offset by negative associations with cancer. Alcohol is a colossal global health issue. According to the study, alcohol ranks as the globally leading risk factor for death of people aged between 15 and 49. In 2016, 3.8% of female deaths and 12.2% of male deaths in that age group were attributable to alcohol use.
Nocoholics: Wow! That is scary. So, how do I make the right decision about drinking?
Dr. Ginny Tonic: The decision to drink or not is deeply personal. What matters is making an informed choice based on a clear understanding of health risks associated with alcohol. Negative short-term effects of alcohol are observable yet negligible. Negative long-term effects are latent yet serious. So, many people choose to drink. What’s important is feeling comfortable with your choice. Every alcohol-free drink helps - just sober up one drink at the time.
Nocoholics: Thanks for this insightful and educational conversation, Dr. Ginny Tonic.
Sources & Links
World Health Organisation (WHO). “Alcohol Fact Sheet.” WHO, 2024, . Accessed 06 Dec. 2024.
Burton, Robyn, and Nick Sheron. “No Level of Alcohol Consumption Improves Health.” The Lancet, vol. 392, no. 10152, 22 Sept. 2018, pp. 987-988.
Global Burden of Disease Alcohol Collaborators. “Alcohol Use and Burden for 195 Countries and Territories, 1990–2016: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.” The Lancet, vol. 392, no. 10152, 22 Sept. 2018, pp. 1015-1035.