Alchohol myths

Waiter, waiter there’s a fish in my wine!

Fact

You might be surprised to read on your bottle of vino that it may contain fish, egg, milk or nuts. These aren’t new fad ingredients but products that may be used in the wine-production process. While they are largely removed through filtration, allergen-labelling requirements state they must be declared.

Alcohol is fat-free so it won’t cause weight gain.

Myth

It’s true that alcohol is virtually fat-free but alcohol itself is high in kilojoules. One pint of beer will set you back about 900kJ – that’s a little less than a McDonald’s hamburger. A standard 100mL glass of wine has about 370kJ. A night on the town can quickly add up.

Hair of the dog will cure my hangover.

Myth

Hair of the dog or having another drink is the alcoholic version of homeopathy – a little of what’s causing the illness can cure it. It can seem beneficial but it’s only a delaying tactic – the hangover will kick in eventually. The only way to prevent a hangover is not to overindulge. But … water, a painkiller, something to eat and rest is about all you can do.

My husband and I drink a medicinal bottle of wine a night.

Myth

Studies consistently show moderate drinkers (one to two drinks per day) have healthier hearts and live longer than heavy drinkers or teetotallers. However, the benefits are limited to a couple of drinks a day and most of the benefit is seen in middle-aged and older men, and post-menopausal women. Men should have no more than three standard drinks a day and women no more than two. A standard drink is less than you might regularly pour – you should get 7 ½ standard glasses of wine in one bottle so drinking half-a-bottle of wine is too much. It pays to have a couple of alcohol-free days per week.