Revisited: just how bad is alcohol for us?

For the regular drinker, the studies that say a daily tipple is
better for a longer life than avoiding alcohol completely are a
source of great comfort. But a new analysis challenges that
thinking and says it was based on flawed research that compares
drinkers with people who are sick and sober. In this episode from
August, Madeleine Finlay hears from the study’s lead author, Tim
Stockwell, a scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use
Research at the University of Victoria, to find out why scientists
(including him) were so convinced, and what the actual risks of
alcohol are. Help support our independent journalism at
theguardian.com/sciencepod