From the New York Post (always a reliable source, to be sure) comes word of a new study to make the teetotalers squirm and the rest of us reach for a glass.

Scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago discovered that creativity increases 50% after a few drinks - and speeds up response times ( Read more... )

Sugar producers are suing the corn industry over high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS, also known as glucose-fructose in Canada). Essentially, the corn folks are saying that HFCS is nutritionally and metabolically exactly the same as sugar, and the sugar folks are saying, "Um, no it's not!" It's further exacerbated by the corn lobby's move to relabel ( Read more... )

A court in Lithuania has ruled that beer is "vitally essential", akin to medical supplies or drinking water. The ruling comes after staffers at Carlsberg's brewery voted to walk out over pay and working conditions, and means that they can't leave their jobs, although the union has filed an appeal.

The heart-healthy effects of a daily glass of wine are well-documented, despite the prohibitionist movement's attempts to claim otherwise. Good news today from Britain, where scientists say that the same effect is also gained from a daily beer - or a bit more (25 grams of alcohol a day seems to be optimal). From the article, "You will actually be ( Read more... )

In response to an earlier report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists which basically recommended getting seniors off the sauce (calling them "invisible addicts"), the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research (based out of Boston University's Medical Centre) has come up with a different opinion:
The [UK psychiatrists'] report was ( Read more... )

So, not only can booze save your life, it may also be able to keep you out of the dementia wing at the old folks home, according to a new study out of Germany.

Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that alcohol consumption was significantly associated with a lower incidence of overall dementia and Alzheimer dementia.
(Emphasis mine ( Read more... )

Another study has indicated that one to two drinks of alcohol daily can significantly lower risk of heart disease and stroke - up to 25% lower risk compared to teetotalersWhat I find most curious is the last quote of the article - "If you don't drink, this is not a reason to start. Similar results can be achieved by being physically active and ( Read more... )

Science. Alcohol. Two great things. Even better when they go together.

In this case (if that link works), we find out that the BATF tests wine, gin, whiskey, and vodka for radioactivity - specifically, to ensure that the beta-counts exceed a minimum level. If the radioactivity is too low, the drink is "unfit for human consumption ( Read more... )

Today is Robert Burns Day, ofren taken as a time for a celebration of all things Scottish. He'd have been 252 today, apparently. So go out, recite the Address to a Haggis(*), and have a single malt. It's what he'd have wanted.

(*) Actually eating the haggis is, of course, optional.

According to research, looking at a curvaceous woman can activate parts of the male brain associated with reward, including regions associated with responses to drugs and alcohol. So, there really is such a thing as "intoxicating beauty"!?!