@karen22

I think we are getting off the point of what moderation is, which Aristotle first commented on
eons ago. I am not sure I understand your third sentence about denying anything that may be bad for you (inexcess) is not guaranteeing a long life.....just one without savor. I disagree with that in part.

When we talk about moderation, we are talking about extremes..try eating 200 lbs of spinach a day because it is healthy......I think we would die. Try eating only cheesecake every day and nothing else....I think we would die an early death. An infinite amount of anything would not be better for you....diet...exercise...smoking...whatever. Think of quality vs quantity. No one really believes behaving a certain way or eating and drinking a certain way is a guarantee of a long life.
Denying yourself something because you don't think it is good for you or does not agree with you is not taking the savor out of life if that is what makes you happier or feel better. I also think most people enjoy what they consume or do during the course of a day and find their own rhythm.
Oscar Wilde said ....everything in moderation including moderation. He was a big drinker...his choice....Did he enjoy life? Probably......Could he have lived longer? Maybe. But he was not about to deny himself alcohol. Jackie Gleason also comes to mind and he really lived it up.

If you are the personality that does deny yourself and abstain...for health reasons....so be it....if you are happy that way that you create your own savor.

Luckily, I can eat and drink everything...but I would take the joy out of it if I ate or did something excessive....it ceases to be enjoyable. The first bite or sip of anything is the best....the last last bite or sip...not so much and we know that. Hence moderation.

I hope I was somewhat coherent .

FL Mary