Whisky 'helps fight cancer'

The Daily Telegraph ^ | May 9, 2005 | Auslan Cramb

[MadIvan]

Drinking malt whisky may help prevent cancer, a scientific conference has been told.

The medicinal properties of antioxidants in red wine are well known, but delegates at a biochemistry conference were told that whisky offered "even greater health benefits".

Dr Jim Swan, a consultant to the drinks industry, said: "There has been much in the news about the health benefits of antioxidants in red wine. By contrast, very little has been said about malt whisky distillery science.

"However, research has shown that there are even greater health benefits to people who drink single malt whiskies. Why? Single malt whiskies have more ellagic acid than red wine."

Speaking at the EuroMedLab conference in Glasgow, he said ellagic acid absorbed rogue cells in the body. "So, whether you indulge in the odd tipple, or you are a serious connoisseur, whisky can protect you from cancer and science proves it," he said.

However, Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK, pointed out that the same acid was found in fruit, and said she was "very concerned" that whisky was being promoted as a cancer prevention agent without data to support the claim.

"On the contrary, there is considerable data documenting the link between drinking excess alcohol and the increased risk of a number of cancers, particularly in smokers," she said.

"Ellagic acid is a powerful antioxidant but that does not mean it is necessary to hit the bottle.

"There is an abundance of this acid in soft fruits and the charity suggests this as a much healthier way of increasing antioxidant intake."

[tjwmason]

One downside to whisky being good for you - that means Maureen Dowd is likely to live to be 100.

Not forgetting 'Chat-show Charlie' Kennedy.

[KeyWest]

"On the contrary, there is considerable data documenting the link between drinking excess alcohol and the increased risk of a number of cancers, particularly in smokers," she said.

True. First thing I was asked when diagnosed with cancer was "do you drink", since it and cancer get along well. Steroids, also. Both help cancer to spread.

Did drink long ago but gave it up, and thank God I did.

[Jet Jaguar]

ping!

[mewzilla]

Doesn't alcohol raise estrogen levels, al least in women?

[Desdemona]

America’s best bourbon is now a ghost.

Wild Turkey? Jack Daniels isn't Bourbon, thank Heaven. Bourbon is a different distilling process and has to come from Bourbon County, Kentucky.

[.44 Special]

Tonight after tea, as every other night, I will pour myself a good stiff whisky or three, sans any water or ice.

I do not have cancer nor do I expect to.

Such is my vice. That and a little Jack Russel by the name of Roxie Ru. Life has its compensations.

[Desdemona]

Is this for whisky or whiskey? I'm afraid some of us are sold on Jameson's.

[LaineyDee]

We already know alcohol prevents stroke and heart disease, makes more braincells, it even fights cancer.

Or.......the more you drink, the less you care, anyway... eh? lol

[ko_kyi]

"America’s best bourbon is now a ghost."

Tennessee whisky, not bourbon IIRC. I thought all REAL bourbon had to be from Bourbon county, KY

[daddyOwe]

My brother drank whiskey and he died for cancer at age 45.

[Constitution Day]

Good morning.

"However, research has shown that there are even greater health benefits to people who drink single malt whiskies. Why? Single malt whiskies have more ellagic acid than red wine."

[need_a_screen_name]

Jack Daniels still makes Black Jack, don't they? Black Jack is 100 proof. I guess there was no need for Green Jack (#7)to be so similar proofwise, so they lowered the proof of it. If you want a stronger drink, order Black Jack.

[The Toll]

Thank God. I've been drinking bourbon for as long as I've been smoking. Maybe it will all work out just fine.

[Pablo64]

The only problem I see with this is that they specified that it was single malt whiskey (although they were unclear as to highland or lowland). I only wish I could afford to drink single malt. My budget at this time limits me to blended malts, with an occasional "treat" of a single malt.

Maybe if I just double up on consumption....? ;-)

[Judith Anne]

I DO enjoy sipping the occasional finger or two of The Glenlivet.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Good, I can skip my workout today and drink.

[R. Scott]

My brother drank whiskey and he died for cancer at age 45.

There is also a genetic factor.
My late wife died of a cancer, as did her father, mother and an aunt. The aunt never smoked or drank and worked in a non-smoking environment. I am not aware of any cancer deaths in my family – although there are a few heavy drinkers/smokers.

[R. Scott]

I am looking at my current bottle of Jack as I type this. It is Black Label, Old #7 brand and is 80 proof.

[joebuck]

"Bourbon is not Bourbon uless it is made in Kentucky. It is merely whiskey...nothing more."

More specifically, doesn't it have to be distilled in Bourbon County Kentucky to be considered bourbon?

[need_a_screen_name]

"I am looking at my current bottle of Jack as I type this. It is Black Label, Old #7 brand and is 80 proof."


Thanks. Boy was I behind the curve on this one. The black labeled bottles ARE 80 proof these days. It is only a matter of the "finer" whiskey being selected for the black label, with the rest getting a green. Follow this link to get the whole story:


http://www.answers.com/topic/jack-daniel-s


Hopefully white lable Wild Turkey 101 is still 101 proof!