It isn’t “objectively harmful” any more than playing beach volleyball in the sun is “objectively harmful”. You can do it responsibly, protect yourself, limit your exposure. And when you do, you can enjoy yourself, which is the opposite of harm. Just because alcohol can be abused doesn’t mean it must be. Most people who partake of alcohol enjoy the net good of its benefits. Most people do not become alcoholics, most people do not die of cirrhosis, most people do not die of liver cancer.
This last part is actually true of all drugs: the most fantastically addictive substances on earth, like meth and heroin, still have more casual users than addicts.
It’s amazing how defensive people get about alcohol. Yes, it can be enjoyed responsibly in moderation. That said, there are health risks associated with using it, even in quantities most people consider small. The risks get more severe the more you drink.
Comparing alcohol to sun exposure is disingenuous. You can’t build a physiological dependency to sun exposure. Nor does UV light penetrate literally every cell in your body almost immediately, including your brain.
It isn’t “objectively harmful” any more than playing beach volleyball in the sun is “objectively harmful”. You can do it responsibly, protect yourself, limit your exposure. And when you do, you can enjoy yourself, which is the opposite of harm. Just because alcohol can be abused doesn’t mean it must be. Most people who partake of alcohol enjoy the net good of its benefits. Most people do not become alcoholics, most people do not die of cirrhosis, most people do not die of liver cancer.
This last part is actually true of all drugs: the most fantastically addictive substances on earth, like meth and heroin, still have more casual users than addicts.
WHO stance on alcohol - no safe amount that does not affect health meaning that no, people do not enjoy the net benefits. Also alcohol is not only implicated in liver cancers, but also stomach, esophageal, throat and mouth.
It’s amazing how defensive people get about alcohol. Yes, it can be enjoyed responsibly in moderation. That said, there are health risks associated with using it, even in quantities most people consider small. The risks get more severe the more you drink.
Comparing alcohol to sun exposure is disingenuous. You can’t build a physiological dependency to sun exposure. Nor does UV light penetrate literally every cell in your body almost immediately, including your brain.