In "What the Headlines Get Wrong About Alcohol and Health,” Dr. Laura Catena, a vintner and former emergency physician, challenges anti-alcohol messaging tied to the upcoming 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which could shape public views on alcohol consumption. Catena criticizes claims such as “no safe level of alcohol consumption,” arguing they rely on inconclusive science and overlook decades of evidence supporting moderate drinking’s heart health benefits. Combining her medical background and winemaking experience, she cautions that alarmist narratives could lead to misguided policies and public confusion just as the new guidelines are being finalized.
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What the Headlines Get Wrong About Alcohol and Health |
In the three decades I spent as an emergency physician practicing in California, I saw tragic accidents caused by drunk driving and treated countless patients for alcohol intoxication and withdrawal, along with many other alcohol-related illnesses. I have seen firsthand the disastrous impact of alcohol abuse. I also made a point to read every scientific paper that was published about alcohol and health. As a member of a centenarian wine family, as well as a Stanford-trained medical doctor, I wanted to be able to answer questions truthfully and without bias about what constitutes safe levels of alcohol consumption. ... |