Over the last six months there have been as many news stories extolling the health benefits of wine as there have been warning against the dangers of vinous indulgence. It seems that wine will make you live longer at the same time that its sending you to an early grave.
It surely will only be a matter of time before the Daily Mail announces that a glass of Syrah a day will keep the Swine Flu at bay…
It’s a case of “you pays your money, you takes your choice” as far as the relative health benefits of the vine are concerned. Or rather, “you pays your research company, and you pick whatever politically motivated stance that suits” as far as the lobbyist industry is concerned.
A cynical view? Probably not. Next time there is a budget round, look out for a government report highlighting the effect of alcohol consumption on the health service and then watch as duties are raised by the chancellor. This year it was an attack on the middle class (and middle aged) wine drinkers that provided the news headlines, quickly followed by the inevitable tax increase. Let’s ignore the silent majority of responsible drinkers and swell the coffers anyway.
Indeed, there is a war of attrition being conducted by vested political, moral and industry interests all of whom deploy the forces of PR and research as their weapons of choice. Tis a dirty job…
One of the enduring criticisms of news journalism is the willingness of many practitioners to publish PR puff without checking the motivations/credentials of the puffer. Couple that with the fact that Universities receive a significant amount of research funding from commercial and industrial interests and you can see that something may be rotten in the state of Denmark when it comes to health reporting. Press, PR and Research Grants – an unholy trinity if ever there was one.
So here’s where I need your help. It’s time we looked under the bonnet of the often contradictory stories in the news media and established any links that may exist to politically motivated research funding. If anyone out there can provide insight, documentation, phone numbers or secret handshakes that will help us unlock the secrets of puffery then I’d love to hear from you.
And for those of you who are either looking to give up on the booze or are searching for a reason to continue, here’s a list that should give you the justification you require, whichever path you tread:
“I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour…”
Drinking wine may help protect against skin damage by radiation therapy – The Food Consumer 15/08/2009
Red wine may be helpful in fighting off several diseases and conditions, including high cholesterol, heart disease, various cancers and even aging – Newsday – August 14, 2009
Women who drink red wine enjoy better sex lives – telegraph.co.uk 07 08 09
An antioxidant found in red wine could treat life-threatening inflammations like appendicitis - Decanter Magazine 11th August
Wine may help men outlive teetotallers - The Guardian 30/04/09
Wine boosts cancer survival rates – The Scotsman 22/04/09
Wine May Protect Against Throat Cancer – Wine Spectator 02/03/09
Wine Slows Mental Decline – Saga
Red Wine Reduces the risk of prostrate cancer - Harvard University Review
Wine may protect men against impotence - Decanter 28/01/09
“But heaven knows I’m miserable now…”
Red wine “good for you” Scandal – The Examiner 31/07/09
Daily Drink raises cancer risk in women – Decanter 25/02/09
Millions of middle-class drinkers putting health at risk with evening tipple – 22/01/09
Wine Won’t Cut Breast Cancer Risk – 17/08/09
Drinking White wine may stain your teeth – CNN 03/04/09
Average wine drinker puts on half a stone of fat a year – telegraph.co.uk 18/04/09
Wine is worst for brain cells than beer, scientists reveal, in a blow for women drinkers – Daily Mail 17/03/09
