[gilbetron]

It's a really interesting question. Maybe the benefits of having something to drink that has alcohol to kill of pathogens outweigh the negatives?

[chitowneats]

I'm sorry, which pathogens are killed by imbibing alcohol? I've never heard of such a thing, even historically.

Edit: Next time I'll do a cursory googling before commenting. This is apparently an existing hypothesis for common types of bacteria such as e coli, salmonella, etc in the drink itself, not in the body.

[detaro]

Pathogens have a harder time living in alcoholic beverages, making the drink itself safer.

[JoeAltmaier]

I wonder if they meant killing pathogens in the drink, before you drank it. Clean water is a modern thing.

[chitowneats]

Bingo. Edited my comment above.