I recall reading once that in Early Modern Europe, alcohol, particularly ale/beer, was so widely consumed because the brewing process made it more sanitary than unclean water. How did groups with a social or religious prohibition of alcohol get around the same problem?

by crrpit

There is of course a very decent chance that this premise is flawed, and alcohol was never a substitute for water in the first place...

Mictlantecuhtli

There's always room for discussion but perhaps the section Hygiene And Healthy Lifestyles from our FAQ will answer your inquiry.