Health warnings aren't my cup of tea

9:46pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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DOES anyone else share my confusion about what's good and bad for you? The latest dilemma concerns vitamin pills. For years we have believed in the beneficial effects of supplementing one's diet with a judicious addition of all the vitamins of the alphabet, most of which cost a pretty penny (worth it however if the claims for their powers in warding off illness and engendering health are right).

Gradually, however, we are not only being informed that their benefits are minimal or zero, but that they are having the reverse effect to that intended. We were also told that drinking lots of water every day was very good for us. American researchers have concluded recently that there is no evidence to back up this claim.

The same is true of things that used to be considered harmful. Coffee, we were told, was bad for us.

A new study, however, has revealed that a daily cup of coffee can block the transfer of cholesterol to the brain.

Cholesterol increases protein levels in that organ that lead to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

So coffee is back on the menu. Sausages were never deemed "good for you", of course, but most decent folk feel better after a sausage.

We are now warned that just one banger a day increases the risk of contracting bowel cancer. Doh!

For years Guinness adverts proclaimed that their product was "Good for You".

It seems they were actually (and unusually for advertising blurb) right. Their product has a similar effect to aspirin in terms of reducing blood clotting.

Sunshine used to be considered good for you and was even considered a part of treatment and recuperation for patients in convalescence.

Then it became very bad for you with the increase in skin cancers and people started seeking the shade and covering up. Now we are again being advised that the beneficial effects of exposure to sunlight outweigh the risks of skin cancer.

I am also delighted to learn that "walking around a bit" is every bit as good for you as pounding the tarmac with a bright red face, wearing expensive trainers.

But you are ahead of me, dear reader, the answer, as always, is moderation and can be summed up in the musical hall song "A little of what you fancy does you good".

I am off to sit in the sun (yes it arrived this week!) to have a nice cup of coffee.