Patrick Schmitt MW: Yes, you can drink without guilt

Whether it’s to celebrate the Christmas season, help the pub trade, boost heart health, or just to make you and those around you happy, people should know they can drink without guilt, says Patrick Schmitt MW.

No-one likes being lectured, but I came away uplifted by a sermon at the start of the year. Given by my parish priest, it encouraged me to keep imbibing shamelessly throughout January. Concerned by the number of parishioners opting for Dry January, he explained why such a choice is deeply unchristian, giving three reasons.

First, January is a time for celebration – the Christmas season extends until Candlemas on 2 February. Second, Lent, not January, is the season for denial, and even then, giving up alcohol might draw attention to one’s piety, which would be an indulgence of spiritual pride best avoided. Lastly, January is a tough month for the hospitality industry, and abstaining harms pub landlords and drinks retailers – an unchristian act.

Though delivered with humour, his message was serious. Whether Christian or not, needlessly making oneself miserable in January benefits no-one. It worsens the financial challenges faced by the drinks trade, adds to the month’s gloom and instils guilt if one fails at self-imposed abstinence. As my Catholic prep school teacher used to say: “God wants spiritual fruits, not religious nuts.”

It’s far better to begin the year with a fresh perspective on alcohol. If bingeing is an issue, cut back and invest in higher-quality drinks. Science has long advocated moderation over total abstinence, and evidence suggests small amounts of alcohol may have health benefits, including cardiovascular protection. Beyond physical health, moderate drinking in social settings promotes happiness and longevity.

Despite this, calls for alcohol to be labelled as hazardous have grown louder. This year began with fears sparked by outgoing US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s recommendation to include cancer warnings on alcohol bottles. The media largely supported this alarming suggestion without questioning its scientific basis.
Argentinian vintner and physician Dr. Laura Catena likened such warnings to labelling salt as dangerous.

Like wine, salt enhances food, but can harm health in excess. Yet no-one is told to eliminate salt entirely. Similarly, we know sunlight can cause skin cancer, but no-one insists we all remain indoors. Dr. Catena’s concern – and one that should trouble the drinks industry – is the challenge of defending alcohol’s positive role in society. Drinks companies fear lawsuits, and academics worry about being ostracised if they publicise the positives of moderate drinking, even with solid evidence.

What’s the solution? Respected, independent voices must counter anti-alcohol sentiment and reassure people that moderate drinking is safe. My parish priest is one such voice, but we need many more – in pulpits and in the media. Dr. Catena believes a public relations campaign is essential to highlight wine’s societal value and the credible science supporting moderate drinking’s benefits. However, if funded by the trade, such efforts risk being dismissed as biased.

So, what can be done? We must call out misleading claims while promoting the inherent joys of well-crafted drinks. Few products rival the pleasure of sipping a beautifully-made wine. This happiness, even unknowingly, might contribute to a longer life. Ultimately, people imbibe for enjoyment, not health – but they should know it’s possible to drink without guilt.

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