< On a more mundane level, if moderate refined sugar intake reduces stress,
then regular intake through the day, which is part of the food culture of
practically the whole world, would have definite health benefits. >

yes you are exactly right. sugar interacts with opioid receptors. people
find this automatically a demonic thing. but its a piece of survival
hardwiring. makes babies crave their mother's milk [and lactose]. and makes
adults go for berries during autumn so they get fat for winter.

but we know there are serious problems with all-year consumption of high
levels of sugars.

so what is the downside of alcohol?

andrew