Friday, January 20, 2006

Being a booze scientist has got to be one of the coolest jobs in the world.


Proof that wine is healthier than beer

Here's a little bit of "No duh" science.

It's been known for a long time that wine drinkers tend to be healthier, with a lower rate of heart disease, than beer drinkers. A recent study has determined that it has more to do with what people eat with their beverages than anything. From the story:
Wine drinkers tend to buy more olives, fruit, vegetables, poultry, cooking oil, low-fat cheese, milk and meat than beer buyers. Beer drinkers purchased more premade meals, sugar, cold cuts, pork, butter, sausages and soft drinks.

The story fails to mention that these stats are skewed by the fact that you just can't get a decent glass of merlot at the ballpark, even if it would go well with a Polish sausage slathered in sauerkraut.
Link to story


Proof that beer is healthier than wine

A new study has discovered that beer can help fight cancer. More specifically, it's a compound called xanthohumol, which is found in hops, and nowhere else. From the story:
Xanthohumol has several unique effects. Along with inhibiting tumor growth and other enzymes that activate cancer cells, it also helps the body make unhealthy compounds more water-soluble, so they can be excreted.

In order to fully reap the benefits, you have to drink hoppier beers, which I am a big fan of. The best news is that, at this time, this is the only known source of xanthohumol. Wanna fight cancer? You gotta get drunk.
Link to story


So, whether you're a wine drinker or a beer drinker, tip back a few this weekend with the comfort that it's for your own good. Have a great weekend everyone!

1 comment:

Jennifer said...

Honest to Pete, whoever he is, drinking a six-pack of beer at the first sign of a cold does an even better job cutting short the common cold than four glasses of Airborne.

Also note that beer contains ZERO aspartame, while Airborne is full of the stuff. Airborne: good against the common cold. Six-pack: even better.

Seriously.

I never kid about health issues.