Health in the navel, marrow in the bones is false?

[_Aristotle Smith]

I just saw this article which says that drinkers outlive non-drinkers:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article ... 32,00.html

I find this fascinating because one of the big selling points of Mormonism (at least since Heber J. Grant) has been that it encourages such a healthy lifestyle. Mormon abstention from tobacco is definitely a win. However, abstention from alcohol looks to be a definite health negative. Perhaps the verse in section 89 should read:

"And, again, strong drinks are for the belly, and for the washing of your bodies."

By the way, the washing of your bodies, what's up with that? That's probably a Kirtland era thing. In the Kirtland temple washings were performed with a mixture of whiskey and cinnamon.

[_beefcalf]

LDS completely ignore the whole 'no meat except in times of famine' thing... why not ignore this one, too?

Also, I have never, in all my time as an active Mormon, treated any of my sick cows with tobacco... and none of my Bishops never said nothin'

[_SoHo]

"Mild" drinks were not excluded from the WoW. That came later. In fact, beer is specifically permitted.

[_MrStakhanovite]

Who cares? Mainstream America has more to do with what the Prophet thinks than God does.

[_Brackite]

I just saw this article which says that drinkers outlive non-drinkers:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article ... 32,00.html

I find this fascinating because one of the big selling points of Mormonism (at least since Heber J. Grant) has been that it encourages such a healthy lifestyle. Mormon abstention from tobacco is definitely a win. However, abstention from alcohol looks to be a definite health negative. Perhaps the verse in section 89 should read:

"And, again, strong drinks are for the belly, and for the washing of your bodies."

By the way, the washing of your bodies, what's up with that? That's probably a Kirtland era thing. In the Kirtland temple washings were performed with a mixture of whiskey and cinnamon.

1. Low-alcoholic beer is Not against the Word of Wisdom.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 89:

...

16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

2. Strong-alcoholic drinks are more harmful for the body than marijuana.

Opinion: Decriminalize marijuana: It's far less harmful than alcohol

...

Comparing the health care consequences of marijuana to the health care consequences of alcohol is startling. In 2006, there were 72,771 hospitalizations in California related to the use of alcohol. Of these, 34,292 hospitalizations were due to illnesses or chronic conditions caused by alcohol consumption. This total is roughly 200 times the number of hospital admissions associated with marijuana.

http://yeson19.com/node/90

Opinion: Critics of Prop. 19 on marijuana rely on fear, not facts

...

Finally, unlike alcohol and tobacco -- two legal but deadly products -- marijuana's estimated social costs are minimal.

According to a 2009 report by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, health-related costs per user are eight times higher for drinkers than they are for those who use cannabis and are more than 40 times higher for tobacco smokers. It states, "In terms of (health-related) costs per user: tobacco-related health costs are over $800 per user, alcohol-related health costs are much lower at $165 per user, and cannabis-related health costs are the lowest at $20 per user."

A previous analysis commissioned by the World Health Organization agreed, stating, "On existing patterns of use, cannabis poses a much less serious public health problem than is currently posed by alcohol and tobacco in Western societies."

http://yeson19.com/node/93

[_Ella Menno]

I saw this article, too. I found much to like about it. The most important thing I took away from it is that the moderate consumption of alcohol is beneficial (1-4 drinks per day). The benefits didn't reach to those who are social drinkers, like once or twice weekly, to those who regularly drink too much (more than 4 drinks daily), or to those who abstain completely. Therefore, a drink with dinner is perfectly healthy, and fine with the WoW as it is written. Beer is fine with the WoW as is "wine of your own make". It doesn't specify alcohol content, but I believe wine is up there. Not like Everclear or anything, but it can easily get you drunk. Even hard liquor could be considered mild if it is diluted enough. I find it absolutely laughable that Utah beer is considered to be against the WoW. It has, like, 3% alcohol! That's practically a soda! 7up has .5% alcohol per serving.

In addition, the author of the Time article noted that:

One important reason is that alcohol lubricates so many social interactions, and social interactions are vital for maintaining mental and physical health. As I pointed out last year, nondrinkers show greater signs of depression than those who allow themselves to join the party.

Are TBMs depressed? I know a few who are.

[_Lucretia MacEvil]

Good grief, three drinks/day is moderate? That's insane. This article is irresponsible and I have a hard time believing much of it.

[_Joseph]

"wheat for man,"

How come this revelation does not mention rice? Billions across the globe exist with rice as the main staple of their diet.
----------------------------------

"Good grief, three drinks/day is moderate?"

Three drinks a day of a light wine? Not big eight ounce or BigGulp 44 ouncers. We're not talking the 3/4 to a gallon a day some Doctors recommend of water for good health. Moderation with a glass of wine at meals is not making Alcoholics of so many who do this. Also, hard to rebel by drinking booze when you have a small glass of wine with Grandma once a day or every few when young.
------------------------------

"Comparing the health care consequences of marijuana to the health care consequences of alcohol is startling."
"This total is roughly 200 times the number of hospital admissions associated with marijuana."

There are probably more than 200 times as many who use alcohol regularly than use marijuana. In spite of movie and story use of marijuana being 'cool', many will not use it due to the legal consequences from arrest to drug testing in the workplace. Few places test for alcohol like illegal drugs.
Let the usage be comparable, then the statistics may have meaning.
-------------------------------

As for treating cattle with tobacco? Statistics show it is less effective than feeding them vegetarian Pizza, Chicago or New York style. ;-)

[_Lucretia MacEvil]

"Good grief, three drinks/day is moderate?"

Three drinks a day of a light wine? Not big eight ounce or BigGulp 44 ouncers. We're not talking the 3/4 to a gallon a day some Doctors recommend of water for good health. Moderation with a glass of wine at meals is not making Alcoholics of so many who do this. Also, hard to rebel by drinking booze when you have a small glass of wine with Grandma once a day or every few when young.

I have no problem with any of what you are saying, and I am a social drinker myself (although hardly every day or even every week). So forgive me if I still think 3/day sounds like a bit much. I really have no problem with responsible drinking, but for every drink that is taken in happy sociability, many more are taken for the purpose of self-medicating any number of dysfunctions. I see this article as encouraging heavy drinking, not a glass of wine with a meal, and that's why I called it irresponsible.

[_Ella Menno]

The article doesn't say you have to drink 3 per day to be a moderate drinker. I think they are taking into account that there are different body types and those who may be able to drink up to 3 or 4 drinks per day without becoming a drunk. For example, I am very small so I know I can drink 1, maybe 2 drinks (depending on the alcohol content, of course) whereas DH can drink about twice as much with no more than a buzz. As far as I can tell, neither of us are alcoholic. We know our limits and we stick to that. That's moderation.