« Alcohol and humanity are intertwined in ways far beyond medicine. There are spiritual, emotional, humanistic, cultural forces at play. It is profoundly American to ask should I drink a glass of red wine a night to maximize my lifespan. You would be much better off going to Italy for 6 months, shutting the fuck up, and doing what they do. Medicine has no business advising people when it doesn’t have robust data. This spills credibility. The report was his swan song to recommendations without good evidence.

If you don’t want to drink, no one is forcing you (well, unless you want to be invited back to my dinner party). If it affects your work or family, you have a problem, but if you enjoy it, study it, and pair it with food, fire, and company, then I will cheers to you. »