It has been clearly shown that similar amounts of alcohol tend to have different health effects – both beneficial and adverse – in different cultures. Greater health benefits from moderate alcohol intake have been shown, for example, in southern European countries, where wine with meals is common, than in more northern European countries, where beer and spirits are more likely to be consumed and usually not with food.
Why cultural differences are vital in gauging alcohol consumers’ health – International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research Critique 206
It has been clearly shown that similar amounts of alcohol tend to have different health effects - both beneficial and adverse - in different cultures. Greater health benefits from moderate alcohol intake have been shown, for example, in southern European countries, where wine with meals is common, than in more northern European countries, where beer and spirits are more likely to be consumed and usually not with food.