For decades, alcohol has enjoyed a surprising reputation as a health booster—especially red wine.

You’ve heard the claims: stronger hearts, longer life, protection against dementia.

But when you dig into the actual science, the story falls apart fast.

In this episode, you’ll discover why many of the studies praising moderate drinking were built on a critical flaw—they compared drinkers to the wrong people.

So-called “non-drinkers” often included sick quitters: people who had already stopped drinking because their health was declining.

That single mistake distorted decades of public health advice. Using modern methods like Mendelian randomisation, newer research strips away the illusion.

Instead of a protective effect, the data show a clear, linear relationship:

👉 more alcohol = higher dementia risk

👉 more alcohol = higher cancer risk

👉 more alcohol = measurable brain shrinkage

You’ll learn:

Why the famous J-shaped curve was misleading

What alcohol actually does to your brain and hippocampus

How even “low-risk” drinking increases long-term harm

The updated Canadian alcohol guidelines—and why they shocked experts

What to do if you drink now (and why less really is better)

If you care about brain health, longevity, or evidence-based medicine, this episode will completely change how you think about alcohol.