On Jun 21, 2014, at 2:53 PM, RFields <xxxxxx@actrix.co.nz> wrote:

> As a rough guide, in low tech vessels where due to dietary deficiencies can occur due to poor food storage preserved foods, e.g. in alcohol, will be used to maintain general health.

Also, the main reason most people drank wine, beer or spirits back in the day: water was dangerously septic.