Forget what they say

Alcohol is the key to our success

Just when I was about to pour myself a drink (I'm still on vacation you should know) and was proud of myself for sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee, I read an article in the Financial Times. Why drink is the key to humanity’s success.

Look, those are some good news, right at the start of the weekend. Here's the thing. Drinking alcohol is generally a social activity. And social activities are good for us. Loneliness can threaten your health. In England, there is even a minister appointed to combat loneliness. Take a pub, a few glasses of beer, and put a few lonely people together, and the start to combat it is there.

Furthermore, we produce endorphins through alcohol. You also do this when you dance, sing, do your thing, and exercise, but alcohol seems to be the most effective way to release endorphins (which give you a feeling of happiness). That's why it makes you so cheerful. Alcoholics are given endorphin blockers in rehab clinics so they won't experience the high if they do drink, making them less tempted to reach for the bottle next time. But for us normal folks, alcohol is a powerful means to feel good.

Of course, too much is never good, but listen to this. An article in the British Medical Journal described a study involving 9000 municipal officials. They looked at alcohol consumption during your forties and fifties and the risk of dementia. The group that did not drink alcohol during those ages had a 501% higher chance of dementia than the group of average drinkers. The group that drank too much during that period (more than 40 drinks per week) increased their risk of dementia by 601%.

So drinking is good for you. Provided it's in moderation and with (your) mates.

I think I’ll just fill a glass.

Cheers and have a good weekend,

May