Wednesday, January 07, 2004

Did Starbucks fund this?

One of the things you gotta love about medical research is that if you wait long enough, you'll find that just about anything is good for you, as long as you look at it the right way. For example, this week we learned that two excellent ways to stay healthy are to catch a common cold and drink enough coffee to give a horse the jitters: According to Australian researchers, that cold bug that drives you crazy can also cure you of skin cancer; meanwhile, some very wired scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health want us to know that drinking six or more cups of coffee a day will lower our risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes.

Six or more cups? I can't help thinking that maybe those people drinking six or more cups are dying of something else before they get a chance at Type 2 diabetes. But hey, the scientists have spoken, and at least until the research study saying the exact opposite comes out in a week or two, it's double espressos all around. Now, let's have a study recommending some Krispy Kreme donuts to go with our java. And please, researchers, please -- can't you show that letting kids watch TV all day innoculates them against something nasty?

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