Paul warns him against a false view of moderation, so he phrases it more as an exhortation than as a suggestion. Our health is a necessary concern. Modern pronouncements of the health benefits of wine are of interest but need not be our focus. Paul was speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit in telling Timothy he personally needed to drink wine for his ailments. Promoting our health should be of concern to us.
Negative laws have positive implications for our own conduct.
Preserving our own life must begin with our own diets. The reference here is to a medicinal use of wine. Nor did Paul urge it as such. But morally, the moderate use of wine for its health benefits cannot be separated from its moderate use as a beverage. To ignore good diet and nutrition is to be a poor steward of God's gift of life and health.