‘We need pleasure to survive’

THE subject line of an e-mail sent by my own fair paper last week read: “For You: Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health.”

First of all: For me? Rude. But I did read the linked article – reported by the health writer Dana Smith, who begins her piece, delightfully, with “sorry to be a buzz-kill” – an overview of the current research on alcohol consumption. To be clear, the experts queried didn’t suggest fully abstaining, but the ultimate takeaway was: “Drink less, live longer.” This comes on the heels of learning that my gas stove may be killing me, I’m eating the wrong carbs and processed meat shouldn’t be “a regular habit”.

After sitting with all these health warnings, it seems to me that the guidance around all sorts of things feels a bit draconian.