Odd musing no 400031987 Series X

Whenever I read the newspapers and some study or other proclaims loudly that imbibing 'A' will most definitely result in your untimely and messy demise, my thoughts are always drawn to a scene from Woody Allen's Comedy 'Sleeper' uttered by the two characters Drs Aragon and Melik;

Dr. Melik: This morning for breakfast he requested something called "wheat germ, organic honey and tiger's milk."
Dr. Aragon: [chuckling] Oh, yes. Those are the charmed substances that some years ago were thought to contain life-preserving properties.
Dr. Melik: You mean there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or... hot fudge?
Dr. Aragon: Those were thought to be unhealthy... precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.
Dr. Melik: Incredible.

One could cite articles stating that Butter is less harmful than margerine. No direct health benefits from Organic foods. Too little salt is as bad for you as too much (Sodium imbalance). Just as an aside, a quick fix for dehydration is Coca-cola, as it is loaded with salts and sugars (Tried it, it works like a charm). Of course it has to be the real thing and not the wimpy diet or zero sugar stuff. Mrs S, who spent a number of years teaching in Africa taught me that one.

One could forgive my cynicism, but each call for a 'ban' on whatever nowadays appears to be coincide with a marketing campaign for another soi disant 'healthy' product. For example, the 'Ban Butter' call from this man was observed to coincide with two 'Healthy' processed spread product launches by Unilever. Again and again the link between marketing campaigns and calls for bans on this and that casts doubt on the veracity and integrity of those calling for the ban. Well apart from smoking. Oh, hang on. Hasn't the evil weed some medicinal properties? Well spank me rigid. Not so sure about tobacco though. As an ex-smoker I don't miss the pervasive smell of stale cigarettes on my clothing. Nor that first cough of the morning. Although you won't catch me complaining about the smell of a good cigar.

Personally, I think Paracelsus had it right "The dose makes the poison". A glass of a decent red (or two, perhaps even three) a day is reputed to do the old ticker the world of good, and a nice dram of Whiskey a day is thought to help prevent some forms of Cancer. Guzzling alcopops until you puke maybe not so much.

Ho hum. All this musing won't pour me a nice glass of Talisker with the Steak supper I have planned for this evening. The health zealots can just go fuck 'emselves.