If I could say two words to Trevithick and colleagues (1),
they would be these: "Vodka!" and "ice!"
I thank the authors for their informative account of the measurement of
antioxidant properties of alcoholic drinks. Their findings do not support
the thesis that wine is beneficial but other types of alcohol are not (for
example, 2,3). The results are consistent with Gaziano et al (4) who
assert that it is alcohol per se rather than the specific type of
alcoholic beverage that, in moderation, reduces risk of cardiovascular and
other diseases.
Yet I have two concerns about their study.
First, James Bond drinks Vodka
Martinis, shaken, not stirred, even though the traditional cocktail is
made with Gin. Thus the central finding that Mr Bond's peculiarly good
health could be accounted for by his drinking habits remains untested.
Second, why was the potential role of ice (an essential ingredient in
Martini making) not evaluated?
References
1 Trevithick CC, Chartrand MM, Wahlman J, Rahman F, Hirst M,
Trevithick JR. Shaken, not stirred, bioanalytical study of the
antioxidant activities of martinis. Br Med J 1999; 319: 1600-2.
2 Klatsky AL, Armstrong MA. Alcoholic beverage choice and risk of
coronary artery disease mortality, do red wine drinkers fare best. Am J
Cardiol 1993; 71: 467-9.
3 Wannamethee SG, Shaper AG. Type of alcoholic drink and risk of
major CHD events and all cause mortality. Am J Public Health 1999; 89:
685-90.
4 Gaziano JM, Hennekens CH, Godfried SL et al. Type of alcoholic
beverage and risk of myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol 1999; 83: 52-7.
Rapid Response:
Does ice have a role?
Dear Sir.
If I could say two words to Trevithick and colleagues (1),
they would be these: "Vodka!" and "ice!"
I thank the authors for their informative account of the measurement of
antioxidant properties of alcoholic drinks. Their findings do not support
the thesis that wine is beneficial but other types of alcohol are not (for
example, 2,3). The results are consistent with Gaziano et al (4) who
assert that it is alcohol per se rather than the specific type of
alcoholic beverage that, in moderation, reduces risk of cardiovascular and
other diseases.
Yet I have two concerns about their study.
First, James Bond drinks Vodka
Martinis, shaken, not stirred, even though the traditional cocktail is
made with Gin. Thus the central finding that Mr Bond's peculiarly good
health could be accounted for by his drinking habits remains untested.
Second, why was the potential role of ice (an essential ingredient in
Martini making) not evaluated?
References
1 Trevithick CC, Chartrand MM, Wahlman J, Rahman F, Hirst M,
Trevithick JR. Shaken, not stirred, bioanalytical study of the
antioxidant activities of martinis. Br Med J 1999; 319: 1600-2.
2 Klatsky AL, Armstrong MA. Alcoholic beverage choice and risk of
coronary artery disease mortality, do red wine drinkers fare best. Am J
Cardiol 1993; 71: 467-9.
3 Wannamethee SG, Shaper AG. Type of alcoholic drink and risk of
major CHD events and all cause mortality. Am J Public Health 1999; 89:
685-90.
4 Gaziano JM, Hennekens CH, Godfried SL et al. Type of alcoholic
beverage and risk of myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol 1999; 83: 52-7.
Dr Nicholas Walker
Consultant Psychiatrist
Ravenscraig Hospital,
Inverkip Road,
Greenock,
Inverclyde PA16 9HA,
Scotland
Competing interests: No competing interests