Beer Glass Orders Another Round; Does It Pay For It Also?
MSNBC News. April, 2002; London. Drink up that beer- another will soon be whisked to the table thanks to a high-tech pint glass that tells bar staff when it needs refilling.
Developed by a Japanese electronics company, the intelligent glass is fitted with a radio-frequency coil in its base and emits a signal to a receiver set in the table when it's empty. The "iGlassware" system works by coating each glass with a clear, conducting material, enabling it to measure exactly how much liquid has been sipped or guzzled. When empty, the glass sends an electronic cry for more beer from the table to waiters equipped with hand-held computers on frequencies similar to those used by mobile phones.
BBC News. Feb, 2002; Scotland. Vitamins could be added to beer in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related health problems in Scotland. A Scottish Executive document argues that adding the vitamin thiamin (also known as Vitamin B1) to beer could to prevent some forms of alcohol-related brain damage.
The move is part of an drive by ministers to reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths and illnesses brought about by over-drinking.
MSNBC News Services. Jan, 2002. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, which has already been shown to help prevent heart disease and strokes, may also cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease by nearly half, a Dutch study found.
Whether it is wine, beer or whiskey, the effect is the same, researchers reported this week. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence for the health benefits of moderate drinking. Experts say moderation- between one and three drinks a day- is the key. The adverse effect of excess alcohol is beyond question. Besides destroying the liver, several studies have shown that excessive drinking can be toxic to the brain. Alcoholics can end up with a shrunken brain, which is linked to dementia. There is even a medical condition called alcoholic dementia.
Brian's Belly Commentary: This all sounds great except for the moderation and dementia stuff.
