The Science of Healthy Drinking [Hardcover]

Gene Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

No longer is abstinence from alcohol a rule of good health. Medical science has established beyond a doubt that moderate drinkers live longer, happier and healthier lives than non-drinkers. Why is this good news not fully disclosed to the public? Gene Ford, a lifelong researcher and expert on drinking and health, explains the political, social and religious pressures which have suppressed the truth about the benefits of moderate drinking. The social and medical answers are all in this book. How much is enough? How much is too much? Certainly there is a small percentage of the population who should not drink, but the vast majority, both men and women, young and old, will benefit from daily imbibing. Most important are the Cardiovascular benefits of red wine. Angina, atherosclerosis, blood clots, coronary artery disease, strokes and heart attacks are all reduced by moderate drinking. The surprising benefits of wine as an anti-oxidant, reducing Cancer morbidity and mortality is documented. Over 1500 studies and articles are cited as the science behind the 30 specific health benefits of moderate drinking. From Alzheimers to Osteoperosis to Ulcers, from the Common Cold to Diabetes to Kidney Stones - here is a panorama of good news about drinking never before assembled in a single book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A well-constructed publication for the vast majority of people who enjoy the health and social benefits of drinking. -- Morris E. Chafetz, M.D., Director, National Institue on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Gene Ford shatters the all-American dichotomy which favors labeling substances either "good" or "bad"--it depends how it's used. -- Elizabeth M. Whelan, Ph.D., President, American Council on Science and Health

Smart, energetic, penetrating, productively and refreshingly brash. -- The Wine News, Harvey Finkel, M.D.

The author's integrity and the extensive documentation make this the most authoritative book on drinking and health in print. -- Wine East, Hudson Cattell

The most information on these issues between the covers of a single book. Maybe IT will make a difference. -- Wine Spectator, Harvey Steiman

This book should be read by health policy advocates, the general public, and by physicians. -- Alfred A. de Lorimier, M.D., Prof. Surgery, University of California Medical School

This volume is indispensable for both the practicing physician and any individual seeking information on personal health. -- David J. Hansen, Ph.D., Sociologist, author of PREVENTING ALCOHOL ABUSE

From the Inside Flap

The Science of Healthy Drinking provides unique insights into the epidemiology of responsible drinking. It explores the positive findings found in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies conducted in the United States and in many other nations. From this vast accumulation, Ford concludes that Americans are being systematically deprived of information needed to make informed choices concerning alcohol use.

Ford shows how antipathy to drinking became the standard in medicine when the American Medical Association passed a resolution on June 6, 1917 which included these phrases: alcohol as a beverage is detrimental to the human economy... ora sa stimulant or as a food has no scentific basis... the use of alcohol as a terapeutic agent should be discouraged.

In his fourth book about this scientific impasse, Ford offers a novel resolution. He challenges America's practicing physicians and parents- the individuals most responsible for health care deliver- to evaluate the data and to throw off our lingering Temerance yoke.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wine Appreciation Guild (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891267477
• ISBN-13: 978-1891267475
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Science of Healthy Drinking, July 17, 2003

By 

R. Curtis Ellison, MD (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Healthy Drinking (Hardcover)

As one of the scientists involved in the original 60 Minutes program on the "French Paradox," and as someone who directs an Institute at Boston University that carries out research on alcohol and health, I was delighted to see the new book by Gene Ford. I find it accurate in its scientific facts and balanced in their presentation; besides, it is very enjoyable to read. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get information on wine and alcohol. It is nice to have such comprehensive coverage of the topic of drinking and health in one ready source.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Abundance of Evidence Suggests Mainstream Views Out of Touch, July 28, 2003

By 

Louis G .Allsopp (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Healthy Drinking (Hardcover)

There exists a large number of scientific studies indicating that the reasonable and moderate use of alcohol can benefit as many as thirty common health problems, such as heart disease, blood pressure, stroke, obesity, diabetes, angina, and cancer, to name just a few. It seems that for various reasons the majority of mainstream medical practioneers are unaware of these findings, as well as mainstream thinking in general. A highly educated propfessor friend of mine for instance, who has a continuous problem with kidney stones, producing several excruiciating episodes a year, does not drink, and has not drank any alcohol for many years, was stunned when I showed him Chapter 21, on "Kidney Stones". The evidence discussed there in suggests a reduction in kidney stones of up to 39%, with only a moderate daily consumption of wine. In speaking to his doctors, none of them had ever heard of this before. This is only one of what could be thousands of examples of how, "The Science of Healthy Drinking" brings to light highly valuable medical information that the vast majority of American Physicans are barely dimly aware of. This book is an invaluable tool in bringing to awareness the positive benefits of alcochol to so many commonly occuring medical conditions as to make it basic reading material for every "student of medicine and health" regardless of whether they are professionlas or just want to be informed healthy lay people.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A factual read, November 18, 2007

By 

carl169 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Healthy Drinking (Hardcover)

For those who want to know the facts about moderate drinking, this is your book.