I am putting this article on the moderation board and hope that we don't get into a big debate with folks who are AF. This article is for the benefit of moderate drinkers who choose to continue to have a safe amount of alcohol be a part of their lives.
Yes, we've all heard that alcohol is a poison from different folks here but as a moderator this article intrigued me and I wanted to share.
“Alcohol is a Poison”
by David J. Hanson, Ph.D.
A poison is any substance that is capable of causing injury, illness or death to an organism. Salt, water and oxygen are all poisons because in high enough quantities they can harm people. Too much salt in a diet can cause serious health problems, hyper hydration can kill athletes, and too much oxygen given to a premature infant can cause permanent blindness.
Toxicologists emphasize that “the dosage makes the poison.” Although salt, water, oxygen, aspirin, alcohol beverages, and many other substances can cause poisoning in excessive amounts, it makes no sense to call them poisons.
So why do so many groups and organizations insist on calling alcohol a poison? Apparently to stigmatize alcoholic beverages and frighten people into alcohol abstinence. The tactic was first used effectively by the Anti-Saloon League, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the KKK and other anti-alcohol groups. The technique is still widely used today.
Honest communication doesn’t mislead or deceive. Calling alcohol a poison is misleading and deceptive.
***
I agree. Alcohol in moderation is not a poison just as water, salt and oxygen are not.
All things in moderation
:l
Eve11
Addendum: I did want to add to this post with further research I have done. When we sip alcohol and our liver breaks it down into acetaldehyde (as-a-tol-da-hyde) - it is considered a poisonous chemical but it isn't a problem for most people's bodies because it quickly turns into acetate which the body eliminates through the urine, skin and breath. So, for a controlled, moderate drinker...no problem. But for someone drinking too much, too often - then there is too much acetaldehyde that can build up in the cells and create damage-thus it can be poisonous. So, yes, it can be a poison when it's not eliminated efficiently. Once again...all things in moderation.
Yes, we've all heard that alcohol is a poison from different folks here but as a moderator this article intrigued me and I wanted to share.
“Alcohol is a Poison”
by David J. Hanson, Ph.D.
A poison is any substance that is capable of causing injury, illness or death to an organism. Salt, water and oxygen are all poisons because in high enough quantities they can harm people. Too much salt in a diet can cause serious health problems, hyper hydration can kill athletes, and too much oxygen given to a premature infant can cause permanent blindness.
Toxicologists emphasize that “the dosage makes the poison.” Although salt, water, oxygen, aspirin, alcohol beverages, and many other substances can cause poisoning in excessive amounts, it makes no sense to call them poisons.
So why do so many groups and organizations insist on calling alcohol a poison? Apparently to stigmatize alcoholic beverages and frighten people into alcohol abstinence. The tactic was first used effectively by the Anti-Saloon League, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the KKK and other anti-alcohol groups. The technique is still widely used today.
Honest communication doesn’t mislead or deceive. Calling alcohol a poison is misleading and deceptive.
***
I agree. Alcohol in moderation is not a poison just as water, salt and oxygen are not.
All things in moderation
:l
Eve11
Addendum: I did want to add to this post with further research I have done. When we sip alcohol and our liver breaks it down into acetaldehyde (as-a-tol-da-hyde) - it is considered a poisonous chemical but it isn't a problem for most people's bodies because it quickly turns into acetate which the body eliminates through the urine, skin and breath. So, for a controlled, moderate drinker...no problem. But for someone drinking too much, too often - then there is too much acetaldehyde that can build up in the cells and create damage-thus it can be poisonous. So, yes, it can be a poison when it's not eliminated efficiently. Once again...all things in moderation.
?We are one another's angels? 
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