William Schnell wrote:

> On Mon, 9 Jun 2003 13:50:56 -0400, gts <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> Food and drink that
>> contained a bit of alcohol were less likely to spread bacteria and
>> disease, giving an evolutionary advantage to paleolithic humans who
>> were adapted to alcohol.
> 
> Evolutionary disadvantage. Bacteria are good for us. Excess alcohol is an
antibiotic. 

No, evolutionary advantage. Some types of bacteria are good for us but many
are not. Bacterial infections were among the leading causes of death for
humans until the advent of antibiotics. And, as you say, alcohol is an
antibiotic. Humans who could tolerate alcohol had an evolutionary advantage.

-gts