While alcohol consumption is largely frowned-upon in this age, due to its oftentimes negative effects on health and behaviour, use of the drug has apparently been around for at least as long as the human species has. Many theories have been set forth to attempt to explain the attraction of alcohol to humans. Early human diets were largely fruit-based and the odor plume of fermenting fruit may have led many early humans to a meal. In addition, consumption of ethanol would have had the effects of aiding heart health, lowering blood pressure, increasing cognitive ability, and generally increasing longevity (Note that alcohol would rarely have been abused in this natural form.) Through natural selection, we would thus be descended from a long line of ethanol-consumers, with our bodies adapted to live a lifestyle very much as they lived. Although over-consumption and alcoholism have negative effects and remain as detriments to today's society, our ancestors consumed a moderate amount of alcohol and we are physically adapted to perform optimally under these conditions. Over-consumption of alcohol can thus be likened to over-consumption of any dietary component, such as fats, meats, sugar, or calories in general, which all lead to such negative effects as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
I am going to tackle a fairly controversial topic here, which is made all the more so because I am evoking the process of "natural selection" as a causative agent. I'll try and shy away from that naughty E-word, while still bringing you all the important information. Is this theoretical? Why, yes. This projects serves as naught but an introduction to what may be a new way of thinking about this subject. I got turned on to this sort of thing while taking the Evolutionary Medicine class at UAB.
Last updated on the Tuesday of February the twenty-sixth at just before a quarter til nine a.m. by Kevin Young.