These reports only make sense to me if I take a "substitution model" in mind. My idea being that it is not likely that alcohol itself is healthy, but there are some pretty good feedback loops that prevent people from drinking too much alcohol that don't really exist for many of the replacement drinks.
As such, many people that drink "moderately" also drink less of all things. Often times, their "one drink with dinner" is all they drink, period. Contrasted to the bottomless soda drinks that are also on offer.
Granted, I'm still not clear I have internalized my few trips to other countries. I had assumed people would drink more water. I was, evidently, very wrong. It is still puzzling to me how little water I was able to get on the regular when out.
As such, many people that drink "moderately" also drink less of all things. Often times, their "one drink with dinner" is all they drink, period. Contrasted to the bottomless soda drinks that are also on offer.
Granted, I'm still not clear I have internalized my few trips to other countries. I had assumed people would drink more water. I was, evidently, very wrong. It is still puzzling to me how little water I was able to get on the regular when out.