Lightning in a Bottle

Grumpy? You betcha’ by golly wow. Today’s version of The Rankler courtesy of Time: A report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that light to moderate drinking (14 or fewer drinks per week for men, and seven or fewer for women) was associated with about a 20% reduced risk of death, compared with no drinking at all, over the 13-year study duration.

So, “a reduced risk of death” is it? Well, dig me a shallow grave, but I thought my risk of death a certitude as in 100%. Now, please, don’t bother to trot out the “you know what they meant”.

I see this type of wording all the time, which may or may not reflect an inclination to sidestep our mortality. Some practice anecdotally or via research suggests slowing down the shuffle off this mortal coil, and the media lets us know that we may decrease our risk of death.

Let me proactively offer another phrase: increases life span (or reduces as the case may be).

More importantly, would that light to moderate drinking be 2 a day, or maybe some variation like a TGIF 3 drinks, perhaps a Hair Down Saturday 4 shots? We talking Michelob Ultra or Wild Turkey 101?

And, keep the “page space was limited” gambit to yourself.  If space (or time for broadcast media) is so limited, then why bother with this information?

By the way, the JACC editorial in the first issue of Volume 69 concludes, “For AF (atrial fibrillation), there is no benefit, only hazard, with risk increasing at the lowest level of alcohol intake.”

Write responsibly. Read responsibly. Drink responsibly. Think responsibly.

Like I said, grumpy.