| Some scientists believe that whiskey may be one | | | | the esophagus, throat, mouth, bowel and liver. Dr |
| of the keys to preventing the Big C. | | | | Swan's idea that whiskey can prevent cancer also |
| For a quite a number of years, liquor has been | | | | received criticism, owing mostly to an absence of |
| known not only to bring destructive intoxication | | | | population data supporting them. Contrariwise, |
| and addiction upon its patrons, but also as | | | | according to the agency's head of cancer |
| deterrent to a healthy lifestyle. But as a potential | | | | information Lesley Walker, there exists evidence |
| weapon against cancer? Sounds controversial. | | | | that high alcohol consumption does increase |
| Rumors that single malt whiskey may be a tool | | | | cancer risks. Ms Walker noted that while ellagic |
| to combat cancer have begun circulating recently. | | | | acid is a formidable antioxidant and may greatly |
| Whether it actually holds any water has yet to be | | | | aid in the fight against cancer, its presence in |
| proven. According to one of the theory's | | | | whiskey is not reason enough for people to begin |
| proponents, a consultant to the whiskey industry, | | | | drinking up, especially as ellagic acid can also be |
| Dr. Jim Swan, the antioxidants present in whiskey, | | | | found in certain fruits. |
| particularly ellagic acid, can reduce the risk of | | | | The concept that a certain type of alcohol may |
| developing cancer, since this acid fights the | | | | help deter cancer is novel and, for frequent |
| unstable atoms that aid in rapid cell replication. He | | | | drinkers, even noble. What liquor patron would |
| added that the more cells were produced, the | | | | ignore this theory? But, still, Dr Swan's ideas |
| more likely that rogue cancer cells will be born. | | | | remain untested and there does not exist any |
| "Whiskey can protect you from cancer and | | | | known positive link between whiskey and cancer. |
| science proves it," he said, speaking at the | | | | If there would be something that suggest this is |
| EuroMedLab 2005 conference in Glasgow. Dr | | | | true sometime in the future, then it will be |
| Swan explained that ellagic acid, which is in greater | | | | considered revolutionary. However, in the absence |
| concentration in whiskey than in red wine, breaks | | | | of adequate information at present, whiskey as a |
| down the harmful free radicals present in our | | | | deterrent to cancer is a dubious thought. While we |
| body. | | | | all hope and pray that an alternative treatment to |
| However, Cancer Research UK remains | | | | cancer will surface soon, this is probably not the |
| unconvinced. The agency has raised concerns that | | | | time to become this optimistic about whiskey's |
| what Dr Swan and his supporters are pushing | | | | alleged benefits. |
| might mislead consumers into drinking excessive | | | | Note: This article may be freely reproduced as |
| amounts of whiskey just to avoid cancer. Cancer | | | | long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the |
| Research noted that liquor intake can eventually | | | | bottom of this article is included and and all links |
| lead to certain kinds of cancer, such as those in | | | | must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes. |