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| Science & Technology |
| Fruity cocktails count as health food |
| 2007-04-22 |
| A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday. Adding ethanol -- the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits -- boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries, the researchers found. Any colored fruit might be made even more healthful with the addition of a splash of alcohol, they report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul and colleagues at Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture stumbled upon their finding unexpectedly. *hic!* They were exploring ways to help keep strawberries fresh during storage. Treating the berries with alcohol increased in antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity, they found. *hic!* Any colored fruit or vegetable is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of compounds called free radicals. Berries, for instance, contain compounds known as polyphenols and anthocyanins. People who eat more of these fruits and vegetables have a documented lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases. The study did not address whether adding a little cocktail umbrella enhanced the effects. Hey, I don't write the jokes, I just report them. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #20 Alcohol apparently has anti-inflammatory properties when ingested. For some reason red wine has an additional kick along that parameter, along with other healthful properties. It sounds like you and Mrs. Mundi will have a wonderful time, Rex Mundi! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-04-22 23:06 |
| #19 JohnQC, you are right, it's healing properties were known to mankind since dawn of time when someone opened a jar with fermented berry/vine grapes juice or honey and saw that it was good. The moderation part part's important, like with all medicine. Fermented honey was probably first; it takes the least amount of effort. Next was beer. Wine was last of the "natural" alcoholic beverages. For most of history, alcoholic drinks were the only safe drinks. Water was likely contaminated. Damn straight the stuff's good for you. |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2007-04-22 21:30 |
| #18 JohnQC, you are right, it's healing properties were known to mankind since dawn of time when someone opened a jar with fermented berry/vine grapes juice or honey and saw that it was good. The moderation part part's important, like with all medicine. Funny part is that the word Alcohol is of Arabic origin. I suppose that they never mastered the "moderation" clause and hence Mohamhad's apprehension (he imbibed frequently but at least he was sane and sober often enough that he wanted to preserve his lunacy, not someone else's). It seems to be inherent to Arab stock that they can't control themselves. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-04-22 18:42 |
| #17 I feel healthier just reading this. Jack Daniels just became a vegetable serving and with a maraschino cherry, my whiskey sour is a health drink. Salud! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-04-22 18:39 |
| #16 I always suspected rum, vodka, gin, scotch, and tequila were health foods. Just remember: "Everything in moderation--even moderation." |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-04-22 17:59 |
| #15 Me n the Mrs are headin' on a cruise in June. We've been prepping all week with Mai Tais. Good start. Next week...Bahama Mamas. We're feeling the powah! |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2007-04-22 17:32 |
| #14 This is kind of interesting, in a way. When I started chemo, they told Me to stay away from green tea, vitamins A and E(?), certain fruits, and such. The problem is that antioxidants interfere with the treatment, which apparently works by oxidizing to free radicals, but only fast-growing cells (like your hair). |
| Posted by: Jackal 2007-04-22 16:53 |
| #13 Olive = fruit. Color = green. I wonder how many olives fed to free radicals would dispose of them (with an ample supply of ethanol or without). Anyone wants to provide funding for the study? |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-04-22 15:11 |
| #12 And a colorless fruit would be...? Thatn be the Liberace person. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-04-22 15:09 |
| #11 The original Martini did not have an olive or an onion. It had a lemmon twist so there's the fruit. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2007-04-22 14:58 |
| #10 Don't worry Angie. Your jokes were funnier. :-) |
| Posted by: ryuge 2007-04-22 14:11 |
| #9 The study did not address whether adding a little cocktail umbrella enhanced the effects. Dammit, this why you should always read to the end of the article. |
| Posted by: Angie Schultz 2007-04-22 12:49 |
| #8 A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday. And the little umbrellas cut down on skin cancer! Any colored fruit or vegetable is rich in antioxidants... And a colorless fruit would be...? |
| Posted by: Angie Schultz 2007-04-22 12:48 |
| #7 We as a society shouldn't allow Free Radicals. Lock them SOBs up! what? ...oh.....nevermind |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-04-22 11:29 |
| #6 Will someone PLEASE do a study on the health benefits of small-batch bourbon? |
| Posted by: no mo uro 2007-04-22 11:13 |
| #5 I think Nick & Nora were kinda yer basic alcohol people. |
| Posted by: Fred 2007-04-22 08:44 |
| #4 It's a happy, happy day when I find out that my strawberry daiquiri counts as a "healthy choice"!! |
| Posted by: Swamp Blondie 2007-04-22 08:05 |
| #3 Um, weren't Nick and Nora martini people? I don't think olives or onions count as fruit. |
| Posted by: someone2 2007-04-22 07:29 |
| #2 Ima likin' the way you thimk, Percy. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-04-22 05:13 |
| #1 If that were true Nick and Nora Charles would still be with us |
| Posted by: Percy Clomonter1426 2007-04-22 03:36 |