<p>For decades, alcohol has enjoyed a surprising reputation as a health booster—especially red wine. </p><p>You’ve heard the claims: stronger hearts, longer life, protection against dementia. </p><p>But when you dig into the actual science, the story falls apart fast.</p><p>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. </p><p>So-called “non-drinkers” often included sick quitters: people who had already stopped drinking because their health was declining. </p><p>That single mistake distorted decades of public health advice. Using modern methods like Mendelian randomisation, newer research strips away the illusion. </p><p>Instead of a protective effect, the data show a clear, linear relationship:</p><p>👉 more alcohol = higher dementia risk</p><p>👉 more alcohol = higher cancer risk</p><p>👉 more alcohol = measurable brain shrinkage</p><p>You’ll learn:</p><p>Why the famous J-shaped curve was misleading</p><p>What alcohol actually does to your brain and hippocampus</p><p>How even “low-risk” drinking increases long-term harm</p><p>The updated Canadian alcohol guidelines—and why they shocked experts</p><p>What to do if you drink now (and why less really is better)</p><p>If you care about brain health, longevity, or evidence-based medicine, this episode will completely change how you think about alcohol.</p>