Dr Erik Skovenborg reviews The Very Good News about Wine by Tony Edwards.
The small size of The Very Good News about Wine—5 x 0.4 x 8 inches (12.7 x 1.04 x 20cm)—belies the sheer volume of information to be found on its 171 pages. Drawing on the evidence from 340 references, the book covers all imaginable wine and health issues—from the big C (cancer), to the small c (common cold). This conscientious examination of what the science really says about the health effects of alcohol consumption in general, and of wine in particular, is no small feat; to be able to cut through the fog of contradictory stories about alcohol and health, you need to have an encyclopedic knowledge of thousands of studies.
In Tony Edwards’s latest book, chapter 3 (Heart Disease), chapter 4 (Diabetes), and chapter 5 (Dementia) are classical health issues, where the solid evidence of a beneficial effect of moderate wine consumption is presented and several backlashes are dealt with. Chapter 10 (Living Longer) is enjoyable reading and gives hope to those who wish to grow old in good company with their well-stocked cellar. Here, however, I will dwell a little longer on chapters 2 (The Big C) and 14 (Dis- Mis- and Mal- Information), which is where you really get your money’s worth as a wine drinker. Tony Edwards is not afraid to grasp the nettle and address thorny alcohol and health problems head on. The Very Good News About Wine is important reading—content that
This Article was originally published on World of Fine Wine
