Muscle for Life

There’s no doubt heavy drinking is a ticket to an early death. The CDC estimates 88,000 Americans die annually from alcohol-related causes, which includes car accidents, a cornucopia of cancers, and liver disease. Fifteen million Americans are believed to have an alcohol dependency disorder, and until recently alcohol killed more people than opioids. That’s not to mention the disastrous effects of alcoholism on quality of life, mental health, productivity, and relationships. Of course, you’ve heard all this before, and don’t need me to tell you heavy drinking can ruin and shorten your life. That said, you’ve also probably heard that moderate drinking is good for you. That’s the claim doctors, scientists, and beverage companies have promoted for years—heavy drinking is bad for you and moderate drinking is beneficial. Now, though, the pendulum is swinging in the other direction after a series of studies emerged that seemed to show alcohol is dangerous in any amount. For example, CNN published an article titled