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The Claim: Drinking Alcohol With a Meal Prevents Food Poisoning
NY Times ^ | February 15, 2005 | ANAHAD O'CONNOR

Posted on 02/16/2005 9:46:38 PM PST by neverdem

REALLY?

THE FACTS Recent studies have found that a little alcohol may help ward off heart disease and slow dementia. But an old wives' tale suggests another reason to indulge in a drink or two with dinner: preventing food poisoning.

Research over the years appears to confirm this. In 2002, for example, health officials in Spain studied an outbreak of salmonella among people who had been exposed to contaminated potato salad and tuna at a large banquet.

Their findings, which were published in the journal Epidemiology, showed that the rate of sickness was lowest in those who had consumed large amounts of beer, wine or spirits.

Consumers of larger amounts of alcohol also had the lowest levels of sickness documented in earlier studies of large salmonella outbreaks in Spain.

But some studies suggest that a drink may have to be stiff for alcohol's protective effect to kick in.

In a 1992 study, for example, health officials in the United States looked at an oyster-borne outbreak of hepatitis A and found that only drinks with an alcohol concentration of 10 percent or greater prevented or reduced the severity of the sickness.

The effect may have something to do with alcohol's ability to strongly stimulate gastric acid secretions in the stomach, and wine may be particularly effective because grapes have antibacterial properties.

THE BOTTOM LINE Alcohol with a meal can lower the risk of food poisoning.

scitimes@nytimes.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alcohol; beer; foodpoisoning; health; hepatitisa; salmonella; spain
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To: syriacus
must have been my redheaded Neanderthal "unusual" reaction to drugs

There is such a thing? I'm curious because I'm such a "high responder" to drugs, that 1/4 of usual dose is always more than enough, and alcohol makes me sick or at least puts me right to sleep. Does this mean I'm a Neanderthal, or are you kidding?

41 posted on 02/17/2005 9:17:14 AM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: ditto h
Does the aclu know about this lactose intolerance?

You know, this could be interpreted as being anti-Kurd.

42 posted on 02/17/2005 1:26:17 PM PST by speedy
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To: Veto!; syriacus
must have been my redheaded Neanderthal "unusual" reaction to drugs

There is such a thing? I'm curious because I'm such a "high responder" to drugs, that 1/4 of usual dose is always more than enough,

Another redhead here. I have an extra sensitivity to both alcohol and drugs.

43 posted on 02/17/2005 9:23:44 PM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: neverdem

I've read of a similar effect with higher acid orange juice.


44 posted on 02/17/2005 9:24:34 PM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah; Veto!
I usually need very little aspirin, tylenol, etc. Might the type of pain-killer/anesthetic make a difference?

U.S. and Canadian Researchers Link Gene to Pain Relief in Redheaded Women

A potent painkiller appears to work better in women who carry a gene associated with red hair and fair skin, report University of Florida and McGill University researchers.

Anesthetic requirement is increased in Redheads

Red hair seems to be a distinct phenotype linked to anesthetic requirement in humans that can also be traced to a specific genotype.

The following is anecdotal

General Anesthesia & Children a practical discussion

Redheads toss their cookies more. Yes. Really. Red heads and strawberry blonds have much more of a problem with nausea.

45 posted on 02/18/2005 6:30:44 AM PST by syriacus (Was Margaret Hassan kidnapped because she knew the Oil for Food program failed to aid Iraqis?)
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To: syriacus

Fascinating, and thanks. I'm fairly fair, but never blond
until recently. Today, definitely strawberry blonde. LOL.

As for anaesthetic, it takes about 1/4 of the usual dose to
knock me so far out docs have worried that I'd never get back. Last year, I went through surgery with just a small dose of whatever they give you before they anesthetize you. Valium, I think. I had to fight for my life with the anesthesiologist. I probably should wear a med-alert bracelet.

My sister, on the other hand, requires a double or triple dose to knock her out. SHE must be the family Neanderthal. Or maybe it's about blood types? As an AB Negative, I do have peculiar sensitivities to some things.


46 posted on 02/18/2005 8:49:19 AM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: neverdem

It's the truth-anytime that even a smidgen of alcohol is involved, it will be blamed.


47 posted on 02/18/2005 8:54:23 AM PST by F.J. Mitchell (Mean Doctor Dean , his party's agendas obscene, demands they be masked before Halloween.)
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