The author of the article took bit of liberty with a "even a small amount". 0.08 BAC is around 2-3 drinks for most people depending on sex and weight. It's also legally drunk in most places.

So what the study is slowing us yet more proof why overuse of alcohol is detrimental to a person's health. The only thing interesting in this study is it shows possible evidence of the mechanism that causes the harm.

Studies have consistently shown that anything above 1-2 drinks daily or 0.04-0.06 BAC is bad for your health. As with any other drug, the correct dosage is key.

Now why the study authors decided not to include a 0.04 BAC level control in their study is beyond me. The lower dose repeatedly shows benefits in large scale population studies.

[–] PlantJam 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Can you expand on the "lower dose benefits"? I assumed that the benefits of wine were related to antioxidants in certain drinks rather than the alcohol itself.

[–] The_v 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

They originally theorized it was the antioxidants 30+ years ago. However more recent papers have shown that it's the alcohol itself that has the benefits, at the right dosage.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2007.04.089

Here is one of the better writups I have found on the subject.