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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol: Is it really good for you? | Alcohol: Is it really good for you? |
| (18 minutes later) | |
| By Sue Nelson Writer and Broadcaster The way to boost your health? | By Sue Nelson Writer and Broadcaster The way to boost your health? |
| Alcohol is bad for you. Red wine is good for the heart. It's all about moderationÂ… Confused? You're not alone. | Alcohol is bad for you. Red wine is good for the heart. It's all about moderationÂ… Confused? You're not alone. |
| Government guidelines state that men and women should not consume more than 21 or 14 alcoholic drinks each week. | Government guidelines state that men and women should not consume more than 21 or 14 alcoholic drinks each week. |
| Yet the Million Women study reported that just one drink a week increases your risk of breast, pharynx and liver cancer. | |
| No wonder a recent UK survey for the World Cancer Research Fund found that people are deeply sceptical about claims for what causes or prevents cancer. | No wonder a recent UK survey for the World Cancer Research Fund found that people are deeply sceptical about claims for what causes or prevents cancer. |
| In exploring the alcohol-cancer connection, Radio 4's Frontiers reveals a frightening lack of knowledge about how alcohol interacts with the body. | In exploring the alcohol-cancer connection, Radio 4's Frontiers reveals a frightening lack of knowledge about how alcohol interacts with the body. |
| Toxic compounds | Toxic compounds |
| Scientists do not know definitively why we get hangovers or how alcohol may be causing cancer. | Scientists do not know definitively why we get hangovers or how alcohol may be causing cancer. |
| In high doses it does seem to enhance the lifespan of mice - but you need huge doses Professor Roger Corder | In high doses it does seem to enhance the lifespan of mice - but you need huge doses Professor Roger Corder |
| Alcohol is metabolised in the body into toxic compounds - but how these compounds cause damage is unknown. | Alcohol is metabolised in the body into toxic compounds - but how these compounds cause damage is unknown. |
| Since genetics, gender and age play an important role in how we interact with alcohol, a safe amount for one is not safe for another. | Since genetics, gender and age play an important role in how we interact with alcohol, a safe amount for one is not safe for another. |
| The negative effects of alcohol on health and the economy are reported regularly in the media and highlighted by the government. | The negative effects of alcohol on health and the economy are reported regularly in the media and highlighted by the government. |
| But despite the link between alcohol and cancer being known for over 100 years, it is an area of research that is little understood and, according to many scientists, underfunded. | But despite the link between alcohol and cancer being known for over 100 years, it is an area of research that is little understood and, according to many scientists, underfunded. |
| This means that drinkers, no matter how moderate their consumption, are not fully aware of the risks or damage, as the science is not there. | This means that drinkers, no matter how moderate their consumption, are not fully aware of the risks or damage, as the science is not there. |
| In fact, many drinkers believe they are improving their health. | In fact, many drinkers believe they are improving their health. |
| Myth | Myth |
| "It's an absolute myth that red wine is good for you," says Professor Valerie Beral from the University of Oxford and lead author of the Million Women study. | "It's an absolute myth that red wine is good for you," says Professor Valerie Beral from the University of Oxford and lead author of the Million Women study. |
| "The evidence is not there." | "The evidence is not there." |
| Professor Roger Corder, author of The Red Wine Diet, would disagree. | Professor Roger Corder, author of The Red Wine Diet, would disagree. |
| "Our research identified a group of chemicals called procyanadins which are polyphenols, and the key component in terms of protecting from heart disease." | "Our research identified a group of chemicals called procyanadins which are polyphenols, and the key component in terms of protecting from heart disease." |
| Polyphenols, such as the antioxidant resveratrol, are found in the skins of red wine grapes. | Polyphenols, such as the antioxidant resveratrol, are found in the skins of red wine grapes. |
| "In high doses it does seem to enhance the lifespan of mice. But," he adds crucially, "you need huge doses." | "In high doses it does seem to enhance the lifespan of mice. But," he adds crucially, "you need huge doses." |
| In humans, it equates to thousands of litres of wine. | In humans, it equates to thousands of litres of wine. |
| Professor Corder dismisses wines that effectively promote themselves as a health drink, with 'rich in polyphenols' or 'rich in antioxidants' on the label. | Professor Corder dismisses wines that effectively promote themselves as a health drink, with 'rich in polyphenols' or 'rich in antioxidants' on the label. |
| But, he says, two small glasses of a very tannic, procyanadin rich wine would confer a benefit. | But, he says, two small glasses of a very tannic, procyanadin rich wine would confer a benefit. |
| "The problem is that most supermarket wines are low procyanadin and high alcohol," he said. | "The problem is that most supermarket wines are low procyanadin and high alcohol," he said. |
| "We're promoting bad wine for bad habits." | "We're promoting bad wine for bad habits." |
| Frontiers is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Monday 8 June at 2100 BST. | Frontiers is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Monday 8 June at 2100 BST. |