“There’s a general idea out there that alcohol is good for us, because that’s what you hear reported all the time. But there are many reasons to be skeptical.” Tim Stockwell, lead researcher on the analysis and director of the University of Victoria’s Centre for Addictions Research in British Columbia, Canada, said in a press statement. “A fundamental question is, who are these moderate drinkers being compared against?”

The analysis, based on 87 studies investigating the benefits of alcohol consumption for health, was published March 22 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs .

The researchers say a close examination found flaws in the design of the majority of these studies that could skew the number to show that drinking is beneficial. Many of the studies that find a positive benefit to moderate drinking include control groups that are current abstainers. But teetotalism isn’t what is ruining their health. More likely, this study population includes people who are already in poor health and abstaining from alcohol due to existing medical conditions.