Reporters state that researchers from Thailand found that fruity cocktails may be a good source of dietary antioxidant compounds. Apparently the ethanol (aka alcohol that won't kill humans or make them blind) in said cocktails helps to increase the antioxidant compounds in the fruit (it is not known if the antioxidants are any more or less usable by your body).
OK. Let's take this one step at a time, before you need to go into a 12-step program.
Here's the abstract of the article: you can pay to get the whole thing (or ask a library for it).
This was a study to evaluate ways to keep fruits like strawberries from decaying--to promote shelf life of the fruit--it was not looking at the health benefits of girly drinks at all. Alcohol was one of several substances used (methyl jasmonate, allyl isothiocyanate, and tea-tree oil were also used). Most of these compounds reduced decay at 10-degrees C, and enhanced antioxidant capacity and free-radical scavenging capacity for up to 7 days cold storage.
Hmm, better make that a frozen drink. Hold the tea-tree oil.
Alcohol is frequently used in cooking because it liberates flavor compounds and enhances flavor in the finished product. The most recognizable use might be Vodka Sauce, in which vodka works with olive oil and water to get the biggest flavor profile from the tomatoes.
Now, here's where I have a problem with the news report of the research: Those frisky science writers wax on about the health benefits of antioxidants such as prevention of cancer and prevention of neurological problems (incidentally the literature on that just isn't as strong in humans as people seem to think), but avoid mention of the health problems commonly associated with alcohol consumption (such as increased risk for some types of cancer, neurological damage).
Finally, most fruit-based cocktails you get in a bar are not made of fresh fruit, but from pre-made mixes that can easily contain more sugar and "flavorings" than actual fruit. Unless you see fresh fruit in the hand of your bartender, don't count on much of it actually winding up in your drink.
So, it makes for an exciting news story, but we Food Fodder folks can see this piece for what it is--fluff.
---The study did not address whether adding a little cocktail umbrella enhanced the effects.
-Reuters
Aww, it's so cute when the Reuters writers try to get snarky. Everyone knows that a little umbrella produces joy. That's always a good thing.
at one-and-twenty shillings the guinea, is equal to forty-six pounds fourteen shillings and drunk lesbians first time of executing only certain purposes. The capital of all the individuals of a hsnrihvjdrj
-- Posted by: Jennifaer at April 11, 2008 3:45 AM
at one-and-twenty shillings the guinea, is equal to forty-six pounds fourteen shillings and drunk lesbians first time of executing only certain purposes. The capital of all the individuals of a hsnrihvjdrj
-- Posted by: Jennifaer at April 11, 2008 3:45 AM