Malt Whisky Prevents Cancer? This is a good one to cite. Ha.
So, whether you indulge in the odd tipple, or you are a serious connoisseur, whisky can protect you from cancer and science proves it”, Dr. Jim Swan, a drinks industry consultant, was quoted by the Telegraph.co.uk as saying. Dr. Swan presented his work at the EuroMedLab conference in Glasgow.
It seems Dr. Swan%u2019s claim is largely based on the antioxidant properties of a plant compound ellagic acid, which is present in whiskies.
Is it really drinking malt whiskies can protect against cancer? I did not have an opportunity of reading Dr. Swan’s paper and I got nothing to say about his work, but at least I doubt that drinking whisky is the best way to prevent cancer.
In light of the horrific case of a drunk driver killing a mother and her two sons outside Detroit last week, I wince at the mere possibility of injecting even a touch of levity into the drinking debate.
The fact that Dr. Swan is funded by the industry itself, his so-called research is about as lucid as one of his subjects after a few hours at the bar.
And we wonder why our society is so wretchedly unable to pilot itself.
I think he was drunk when he wrote it.
I’m inclined to believe this whole ‘name-your-favorite-drink protects against cancer’ is a bit false.
Here in Europe we have the old ‘wine’ protects against cancer. In Portugal, especially, that’s a big hit, even with doctors themselves – despite the FACT that there’s no HARD evidence to prove this sort of claim. Of course, we produce the stuff and drink it by the gallon… Just look at the road fatalities in our country – not hard to find, we’re number one…
I understand in Germany there’s the same sort of story regarding beer.
The simple fact is that these drinks have never been subject to the kind of medical study they would have to be to justify these claims.
My father drank quite a bit – whisky, wine, beer. He also smoke a bit (remember when smoke was supposed to protect you against several diseases?) He got no protection – he died with stomach and esophagus cancer. Ah, and cirrhosis. of course…
Don’t stop drinking – moderately – but also don’t start because of these claims. They’re just meant to protect economic interests. You see, money is more important than your health…
“…the U.S. government has listed alcoholic beverages as a cancer-causing agent. Medical organizations and the federal government as well recommend only moderate drinking if you drink at all.”
also from the same article.