ALCOHOL
COMPARISON OF ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIALS OF RED WINE, WHITE
WINE, GRAPE JUICE AND ALCOHOL
Several alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages have been
investigated with regard to their possible effects on the
body antioxidant system. It has been reported that red wine
is more active as an antioxidant than either white wine
or grape juice, and that ethyl alcohol fails to show any
protective effect in this regard, suggesting that the antioxidant
activity of the red wine does not arise from its alcohol
content.
Therefore, a study was carried out to compare the antioxidant
potential (AOP) and non-enzymatic superoxide radical scavenger
activity (NSSA) values of red wine, white wine, grape juice
and ethyl alcohol. It was found that red wine, white wine
and grape juice exert strong antioxidant activity in similar
degrees and all produce significant effects on serum AOP
and NSSA values. AOP values (nmol/mlh) of red wine, white
wine and grape juice were 20.8 ?4.2, 23.2 ? 4 and 24.6 ?
4.8, respectively. NSSA values (U/ml) of red wine, white
wine and grape juice were 30.4 ? 6.8, 26.8 ? 5.6 and 32.6
? 5.8, respectively. However, ethyl alcohol did not have
either AOP or NSSA, nor did it have an effect on serum AOP
or NSSA values. The results suggest that red wine, white
wine and grape juice all have high antioxidant potential
to protect cellular structures against peroxidation reactions
owing to their rich phenolic contents.
Durak, I. Et al
CURR. MED. RES. OPIN. 1999, 15(4)316-20
ASSOCIATION OF EARLY-STAGE PSORIASIS WITH SMOKING AND
MALE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
The interaction between genetic and environmental factors
seems to play a role in the causes of psoriasis. Therefore,
a study was carried out to determine the association of
psoriasis with smoking habits and alcohol consumption. The
study group consisted of patients with a first diagnosis
of psoriasis made by a dermatologist and a history of skin
manifestations of no longer than 2 years after the reported
disease onset. It was found that the risk for psoriasis
was higher in ex-smokers and in current smokers than in
patients who had never smoked. The relation with smoking
was stronger and more consistent among women than men. Smoking
was strongly associated with pustular lesions with an adjusted
odds ratio of 10.5 for those smoking more than 15 cigarettes
per day. No significant overall association with alcohol
consumption was found after controlling for smoking habits.
However, the risk seemed to vary according to sex, with
a moderate association being found in men.
Naldi, L. et al
ARCH. DERMATOL. 1999, 135 (12) 1479-84
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF FOLATE INTAKE AND THE RISK OF BREAST
CANCER
Low folate intake has been associated with higher risk
of colon cancer in epidemiologic studies, particularly in
the presence of alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a known
folate antagonist and thus could plausibly increase the
requirement for folate intake. Therefore, a study was carried
out to assess the association between folate intake and
risk of breast cancer, and whether higher folate intake
may reduce excess risk among women who consume alcohol.
A total of 3483 cases of breast cancer were documented.
Total folate intake was not associated with overall risk
of breast cancer. However, among women who consumed at least
15 G/D of alcohol, the risk of breast cancer was highest
among those with low folate intake. This risk was strongest
among women with total folate intake of less than 300?g/d.
Current use of multivitamin supplements, the major source
of folate, was associated with lower breast cancer risk
among women who consumed at least 15 g/d of alcohol. Thus,
the findings suggest that the excess risk of breast cancer
associated with alcohol consumption may be reduced by adequate
folate intake.
Zhang, S. et al
J.A.M.A. 1999, 281 (17) 1632-7
ALCOHOL AND CANCERS OF THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT
Researchers in Denmark have found that subjects who drank
7-21 beers or spirits a week, but no wine, had a 3 times
higher risk of oropharyngeal and oesophageal cancers than
teetotal subjects. However, wine drinkers were found to
have a lower risk than teetotallers. Those who drank over
21 units of alcohol a week had a 5 times higher risk than
teetotallers. So stick to wine in moderation.
Gronaek M. et al,
BR. MED. J. 1998, 317, 844-7
ALCOHOL AND FERTILITY
A follow-up study involving 430 couples aged 20-35 years
found that a woman’s alcohol intake is associated
with decreased fertility even among women with a weekly
alcohol intake of five or fewer drinks.
Jenson et al
BMJ no7157 pp505-510
MORTALITY AND LIGHT TO MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AFTER
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
Although heavy alcohol consumption increases total mortality,
light to moderate consumption decreases cardiovascular and
all-cause mortality in healthy people. A prospective study
of men with a history of previous myocardial infarction
was carried out to determine the effect of moderate alcohol
intake in relation to mortality. The subjects were men in
the Physicians Health Study cohort who had a previous myocardial
infarction, but no history of cancer, stroke, or liver disease.
Out of the 5358 subjects, during a mean follow-up of 5
years, 920 men died. After adjustment for several potential
confounders, moderate alcohol intake was associated with
a significant decrease in total mortality. Compared to men
who rarely or never drank alcohol, those who drank 1-4 drinks
per month had a relative risk for total mortality of 0.85;
for 2-4 drinks per week, the relative risk was 0.72; for
1 drink per day 0.79; and for 2 or more drinks per day 0.84.
Therefore, men with previous myocardial infarction who consume
small to moderate amounts of alcohol have a lower total
mortality.
Muntwyler, J. et al
LANCET 1998, 352 (9144) 1882-5
ALCOHOL AND MORTALITY - IS THERE A U-SHAPED RELATION IN
ELDERLY PEOPLE?
In several large population studies abstainers and heavy
drinkers have shown a higher mortality than moderate drinkers.
Therefore, a study was carried out to assess the relation
between alcohol intake and mortality among seven cohorts
of middle-aged and elderly Danes.
It was found that the effect of alcohol intake on mortality
did not differ between middle-aged (50-64 years) and elderly
subjects (>64 years old). There was a U-shaped risk function
in both age groups which persisted also when adjusting for
age, sex, smoking habits, level of education and body mass
index. Abstaining women had a relative risk of 1.29 as compared
with light drinkers (1-6 drinks per week), while the relative
risk for abstaining men was 1.22 as compared with light
drinkers. On the other hand, heavy drinking women (>28
drinks per week) had a relative risk of 1.23 and heavy drinking
men (>69 drinks per week) had a relative risk of 2.11,
both compared with light drinkers. Therefore, among the
middle-aged and elderly, a light alcohol intake is associated
with lower mortality than abstension or heavy drinking.
Gronbaek,M. et al
AGE & AGEING 1998, 27 (6) 739-44
CHEAP AND CHEERFUL CABERNET
Scientists have found that the best wines to help prevent
heart disease are recently produced Chilean cabernet sauvignons,
followed by French Graves or Spanish Merlot. The reason
is because they contain the largest area of grape skins,
and therefore the highest levels of flavonol antioxidants.
Because of the warm climate, the grapes are able to ripen
fully, making the flavonol levels that much higher.
Spanish cherry tomatoes have double the amount of flavonols
found in English cherry tomatoes, and ten times the amount
in Dutch beefsteak tomatoes.
THE TIMES, 4th February 1999.
