From Roger Kistruck
Congratulations to the New Scientist staff who gave up booze for a month. It is encouraging that so many health parameters improved. Changes in liver fat, cholesterol, glucose and weight can be clearly seen, but I am less sure about the changes in sleep, wakefulness, concentration and work performance, which were self-assessed. Is it possible that feelings about these were as much affected by a quieter social life as by the absence of alcohol?
Incidentally, as a long-term abstainer, I have struggled with the lack of palatable non-sugary drinks. If sparkling mineral water is too boring, I suggest lacing it with Worcestershire sauce. If nothing else, it scores a few points on the “What on earth…?” scale.
Long Melford, Suffolk, UK
