Whisky 'fights against' cancer
2005-05-23 10:06
London - A medical conference in the Scottish city of Glasgow has heard that whisky can protect the drinker against cancer.
"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," Jim Swan, a doctor who works as a consultant to the drinks industry, told the recent EuroMedLab 2005 conference.
"Research has shown that there are even greater health benefits to people who drink single malt whiskies," he added, saying that single malts - the more exclusive and expensive whiskies - "have more ellagic acid than red wine".
Swan described ellagic acid as a "free radical scavenger" that consumes potentially cancerous cells.
"The free radicals can break down the DNA structure of our existing cells, which then leads to the risk of the body making replacement rogue cancer cells.
"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.
But Lesley Walker, a doctor with Cancer Research UK, said the charity was "very concerned" at the promotion of whisky to cut cancer in the absence of population data to support the theory.
"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 and contributing towards eating the recommended intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day," Walker said. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA