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  • Protestors Want End to Sydney Lockouts

    A protest against Sydney’s infamous lockout laws, the Keep Sydney Open rally saw about 8,000 people march from Central Station to Hyde Park to encourage the state government to reconsider the bans.

    Taking place on 21 February, the march kicked off at 12.30pm and according to the ABC, 8,000 Sydneysiders attended, while SMHreports the figure was closer to 15,000.

    The rally saw consumers and hospitality industry members display their opposition to the lockout laws, introduced by the O’Farrell government in 2014 as a means of curbing alcohol-fuelled violence. While foot traffic and therefore violent incidences have reduced since the laws’ introduction, a number of bars, clubs and restaurants have suffered a significant drop in profits, with many includingHugo’s Lounge, La Cita and The Flinders were forced to close their doors.

    The laws ban the sale of shots after 10pm, entry into a new venue after 1.30am and the sale of any alcohol after 3am.

    While industry figures including John Ibrahim, Sven Almenning (Eau de Vie), Dan Hong (Merivale), Rebecca Lines (Bar H), Dave Evans (Hugo’s) and Maurice Terzini (Bondi Icebergs) attended the rally to support the relaxation of the laws, the Last Drinks Coalition, a group of unions representing the state’s doctors, nurses, paramedics and police officers, said the laws have made Sydney’s streets much safer.  

    “A 32 percent decrease in assaults in Kings Cross is a statistic too great to ignore. These laws have saved lives,” said spokesperson Dr Tony Sara.

    Source: http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/food/news/thousands-take-part-in-keep-sydney-open-rally

  • Study Reveals Light Drinking Reduces Stroke Risks

    Up to two alcoholic drinks per day may reduce the risk of the most common type of stroke by almost a tenth, a new study has found.

    But that’s where any potential benefit from alcohol consumption and stroke risk stops.

    Research published in the journal BMC Medicine shows light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke.

    There was, however, no effect on a person’s risk of haemorrhagic stroke – the most deadly type.

    – See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/national/2016/11/25/light-drinking-reduces-stroke-risk–study.html#sthash.JfdLnhBi.dpuf

    In contrast, high-to-heavy drinking was associated with an increased risk of all stroke types, according to the meta-analysis of more than 25 cohort studies involving about 20,000 Swedish stroke patients.

    ‘Our results showed heavy drinkers were about 1.6 times more likely to suffer from intracerebral haemorrhage and 1.8 times more likely to suffer from subarachnoid haemorrhage,’ said lead author Dr Sussanna Larsson.

    People who consumed up to one drink a day were 10 per cent less likely to suffer a ischemic stroke.

    This benefit reduced to eight per cent if a person had one or two drinks.

    Previous research has found an association between alcohol consumption and lower levels of fibrinogen – a protein in the body which helps the formation of blood clots.

    While this may explain the association between light to moderate alcohol consumption and lower ischemic stroke risk, the adverse effect of alcohol consumption on blood pressure – a major risk factor for stroke – may increase the risk of haemorrhagic stroke and outweigh any potential benefit,’ said Dr Larsson.

    Ischemic stroke is caused by blood clots which block diseased or damaged cerebral arteries.

    Haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel, such as an aneurism, bursts and bleeds either within the brain.

    The researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and University of Cambridge, UK, acknowledge that because it was only an observational study their findings only show a possible association not cause and effect.

    Associate Professor Bruce Campbell from the Australian Stroke Foundation says the study is ‘interesting’ but more work needs to be done in this area.

    He says people must be sensible and put their health first by adhering to the Australian Alcohol Guidelines’ recommendation of no more than two standard alcoholic drinks per day.

    ‘We know that excessive alcohol consumption is clearly associated with an increased risk of stroke.

    ‘Alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) which are major causes of stroke,’ Prof Campbell said.

    – See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/national/2016/11/25/light-drinking-reduces-stroke-risk–study.html#sthash.JfdLnhBi.dpuf

  • These Are the Heaviest Drinkers in Australia

    People aged in their 60s drink more often than any other age group, new research from Intermedia shows. Over one quarter of them say they drink most days, compared with less than 10 percent of people in the 20s.

    The information is contained in the report ‘Alcohol Consumption in Australia 2017’, published by Intermedia. The report is based on a survey of 1,027 Australian consumers, asking about every aspect of their drinking habits. It contains a detailed demographic analysis of alcohol consumers in Australia – how much they drink, what they drink, where they drink, and where they buy alcohol.

    We Australians think of ourselves as big drinkers. But we are actually not exceptional. On a global scale we are in the top 20, on a par with the major countries of Western Europe (in terms of litres of pure alcohol per capita per year). Eastern Europeans are the biggest drinkers, and countries with majority Muslim populations the lightest.

    Alcohol plays an important part in Australian society, and there was been much commentary in recent years about the social and public health issues related to alcohol consumption. The level of consumption has declined in recent years, but concern about binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence have increased.

    The nature of alcohol consumption in Australia is, we believe, widely misunderstood. This Intermedia study came about because we observed that, while there is substantial data on the size of the alcohol market in Australia, and many reports on consumption, there is very little data that has asked consumers how often they drink, what they are drinking, and where they are drinking it.

    By asking these questions, and by matching the data against the demographics of the respondents, we have been able to develop a profile of Australians’ drinking habits not available from other perspectives.

    This demographic analysis unveils many insights. For example:

    • One third of heavy drinkers are women.
    • Women drink much less often than men when out, except that they drink just as often as when visiting friends.
    • Only about 10 percent of Australians never drink. They are evenly spread across all demographics, except that they are disproportionately found among lower income groups.
    • Most drinkers drink at home, with over a quarter saying they drink at home a few times a week. Nearly one in five say they drink at home most days.
    • Red and white wine are the most popular types of alcohol, with red wine most popular with older people.
    • Only one quarter of the population are regular beer drinkers.
    • The report is available now for $900 + GST. For more information contact Graeme Philipson at Intermedia.

     

    Find out more http://hospitalitymagazine.com.au/baby-boomers-heaviest-drinkers/

  • Millennials Addicted to Social Media as much as Alcohol and Drugs

    The word “addiction” brings to mind alcohol and drugs. Yet, over the past 20 years, a new type of addiction has emerged: addiction to social media. It may not cause physical harms, such as those caused by tobacco and alcohol, but it has the potential to cause long-term damage to our emotions, behaviour and relationships.

    While the older generation – those born in the baby boom period shortly after World War II – had alcohol and drugs as their vice, the younger generation – the so-called millenials – have social media as theirs. The millennials, born between 1984 and 2005, have embraced the digital age, using technology to relax and interact with others. Social media is a big deal for them; it is a lifeline to the outside world.

    Although people of all ages use social media, it is more harmful for younger users than it is for older people.

    All consuming

    Addiction may seem a bit of a strong word to use in the context of social media, but addiction refers to any behaviour that is pleasurable and is the only reason to get through the day. Everything else pales into insignificance. Millennials may not get liver damage or lung cancer from social media, but it can be damaging nonetheless.

    The harm lies in their change in behaviour. Their addiction means spending increasing amount of time online to produce the same pleasurable effect, and it means social media is the main activity they engage in above all others. It also means taking away attention from other tasks, experiencing unpleasant feelings from reducing or stopping interaction with social media and restarting the activity very soon after stopping completely.

    We should also be concerned about the effect of social media on sleep and doing less “offline”, such as making time for work responsibilities and direct face-to-face social interaction. It has also been linked to depression and loneliness, both of which may be the cause or the effect of social media addiction.

    Millennials report compulsively checking social network profiles and updates. They can make riskier decisions and be open to online exploitation. They often mistakenly believe that, if things go wrong, they will get help from their online community, even if this community consists of relative strangers.

    Lacking self-reflection

    Most of us rely partly on the ability to reflect on our thinking, feeling and behaving to form our own self-image. The problem with social media is that self-image relies mainly on others and their opinions. A recent study found higher narcissism (an exaggerated self-image of intelligence, academic reputation or attractiveness) in millennial college students, compared with previous generations. This does not bode well for a society where self-reflection is key to making informed and balanced decisions.

    The digital age has changed the nature of addictions in millennials, who have replaced one maladaptive behaviour with another. Social media certainly looks as if it has replaced alcohol as a way of social interaction with others. It is perhaps no surprise that, over the past ten years, there has been a 20% rise in the proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who are teetotal. Ten years ago it was 17%. It is now 24%. Spending time online now seems more desirable than spending time in a pub with friends.

    There is no recognised treatment for social media addiction. Although we are starting to become aware of the problem, there is no classification of social media addiction as a mental disorder in the same way as substance misuse. If we want this to happen, there needs to be a clearer definition of the symptoms and progression over time. We will need to answer some key questions, such as: does it run in families? Are there blood tests that can distinguish it from other mental disorders? And will it respond to drugs or psychological therapies? We still have more questions than answers.

    Find out more http://theconversation.com/social-media-is-as-harmful-as-alcohol-and-drugs-for-millennials-78418

  • Singapore Develops Probiotic Beer

    It’s a breakthrough worth raising a glass to.

    Researchers in Singapore have brewed up a beer containing probiotic bacteria that can improve gut health and boost the immune system.

    The pale, bubbly drink tastes slightly sweet and has 3.5 per cent alcohol content, just under the 4 per cent to 6 per cent of regular beers. Every 100ml of the drink contains 1 billion probiotic organisms.

    While probiotics have been shown to improve digestive function and boost the immune system, among other health benefits, project researchers stop short of making nutrition claims.

    “The beer is simply a new vehicle for delivering probiotics and the associated health benefits,” said Chan’s project supervisor, Liu Shao Quan, adding that it had not yet been given a name.

    Melissa Mak, founder of Fermentation Friends, a group that holds workshops on making fermented probiotic food and beverages, said she would give the beer a try.

    “It’s highly incongruous to think of beer as being a good thing in terms of nutrition,” Mak said. “No one knows for sure, but I think it’s a very exciting new product.”

     

    But it will be some time before bars can offer the new beer, as the researchers wait for their drink to be patented. The pair are also in talks with beer companies on marketing plans, Liu said, without giving details.

    The beer contains the Lactobacilus paracasei L26 probiotic strain, the researchers said.

    Find out more

    http://www.goodfood.com.au/drinks/beer-cider/good-for-your-beer-gut-singapore-scientists-hope-for-probiotic-beer-hit-20170731-gxm5fn

  • Too Much Alcohol? Drinking Mindfully Can Help.

    The National Institute on Alcoholism and Abuse defines low-risk drinking for women as no more than seven drinks per week and 14 drinks a week for men — but a study published in The Lancet last year might call for a rethink.

    Examining data from almost 600,000 participants, the study found consuming more than 100 grams of alcohol — or roughly more than five drinks a week — was associated with an increased risk of mortality and could take years off your life.

    If these studies have you examining how much you’re drinking, the “mindful drinking” movement promises to help those with a desire to cut down on their drinking — but maybe not quit altogether. Born in the UK and catching on stateside, mindful drinking has spawned a series of events and a popular book.

    Rosamund Dean, a magazine editor and author of “Mindful Drinking: How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life“, says though she knew she wasn’t an alcoholic, she often drank “considerably over recommended limits.”

    “People think that there are two types of drinker: alcoholics, whose drinking is ruining their lives and who ought to quit altogether, and normal drinkers, who have a healthy relationship with alcohol. This is utter nonsense,” says Dean. “There are plenty of people who don’t need to go into recovery but, nevertheless, drink too much and really should do something about it, for the sake of their health, wealth and happiness.”

    Dean says she wrote her book to help herself and others gain control of their drinking. Though the term “mindful” might imply some sort of meditation, Dean’s book is more about gaining self-awareness and shifting your habits around drinking from mindless to mindful consumption.

    “I used to drink wine at home almost every night, evenings out with friends would always involve cocktails and, after a stressful day in the office, a G&T was all I needed to relax. Now, I think of alcoholic drinks in the same way that I think about cake or ice-cream. If it’s a friend’s birthday or another special occasion, I’ll almost definitely have an alcoholic drink. But I no longer drink every day just as I wouldn’t have cake every day, and I certainly don’t have four drinks in a row anymore, because imagine having four ice creams all at once!” Dean says.

    Knowing when to say when

    Knowing when to cut back on alcohol consumption can be difficult and varies for every person. “National guidelines are a good place to start, however, every person’s situation is unique and requires an individualized answer,” says Jared James, M.D., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System. Dr. James also says that you’ve ever felt like you should cut back, “a loved one or a health care professional may be able to provide a more objecti

    ve opinion and su support them in their efforts to decrease alcohol consumption.”

    Support is key in social situations

    Social situations can present the biggest challenge for those looking to drink less. That’s why Laura Willoughby, co-founder of the UK-based Mindful Drinking Festival and support organization Club Soda, was inspired to create a social space for non-drinkers when she quit imbibing six years ago. “There was nothing out there for people who did not identify as alcoholic, or those who wanted help to do a self-guided journey to change their drinking. I wanted a community that supports you whatever your goal — cut down, stop for a bit or quit — and saw changing habits as a positive life change.”

    Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/tend-get-too-happy-happy-hour-consider-mindful-drinking-ncna955311

  • The Top 50 Australian Food and Drinks according to CNN

    There are countless things about our homeland that Australians miss after moving abroad: the magnificent landscape, the laid-back lifestyle and that endless blue sky, to name a few.

    But something as simple as a trip to the supermarket can leave us expats — according to some reports there are an estimated one million of us — feeling desperately homesick.

    With its long history of immigration, Australia is quite literally a melting pot of cuisines.

    While some foods are the result of cultural influences, such as the Chiko Roll, there are others that are uniquely Aussie, like Golden Gaytime ice cream.

    So which foods do expats crave when they are away from home?

    We’ve rounded up the A-Z of Aussie favorites right here:

    A: Aeroplane Jelly

    Introduced in 1927, this simple dessert is an Australian classic.

    Every Australian child grew up singing the famous 1930s jingle: “I like Aeroplane Jelly, Aeroplane Jelly for me!”

    The brand’s “Bertie the Aeroplane” mascot was named after inventor Bert Appleroth — a Sydney tram driver who is said to have made the first batch in his bathtub.

    Although now owned by an American company, Aeroplane Jelly has hardly changed since grandma was a girl.

    Sure, there are plenty of brands of jelly available worldwide, but when it comes time to make a trifle or treat for the kids, Aussie parents can’t resist this familiar favorite.

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    World’s 50 best beach bars

    B: Bowen mangoes

    An Australian variety of mango that isn’t grown anywhere else in the world, the Bowen is considered the best of the best.

    It was first discovered in the northern Queensland town of Bowen, hence the name, but is also known as Kensington Pride.

    Bigger and juicer than other varieties, Bowen mangoes account for 80% of mangoes produced in Australia. Some are exported but arguably not enough to cater for the huge number of mango-loving expats.

    To Aussies, mangoes are the taste of summer. No matter where we are in the world, the craving for a Bowen mango usually kicks in around Christmas.

    C: Chiko Roll

    This strange little deep-fried snack has been an Australian icon since 1950, when it was first sold by an enterprising boilermaker at football games.

    Inspired by Chinese spring rolls, the exact recipe is a little unclear but the combination of meat, veg and some unknown spices hits the spot.

    Best consumed with a couple of potato scallops and a soft drink, the Chiko Roll is the go-to for tradies on their lunch break or those 3 a.m. munchies on your way home from the pub.

    And the only place to get them is a typical Aussie takeaway joint.

    D: Dukkah

    Dukkah — a humble blend of crushed Middle Eastern spices, herbs and nuts from Egypt — has been embraced by Australian foodies.

    Its versatility is one of the reasons this condiment is so popular. Dukkah can be used as a garnish, a coating on a piece of meat or mixed with olive oil as a dip for bread.

    A number of producers have given the basic dukkah recipe an Australian twist by adding native ingredients, such as lemon myrtle, macadamia nuts, wattleseed, saltbush and pepperleaf.

    Expats can find many variations in Australian supermarkets and, fortunately, they’re often sold in packets small enough to sneak into a suitcase.

    E: Emu

    Australia is one of the few countries where it is considered perfectly acceptable to eat the coat of arms.

    Exceptionally lean and gamey, emu and kangaroo tend to be popular among adventurous chefs in Australia.

    But when living abroad, neither is easy to get your hands on.

    A number of restaurants and specialty butchers offer native meats, but the expense involved in raising emus, in particular, means it’s harder to come by.

    L: Lamingtons

    The Australian staple is named after Lord Lamington, the Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901.

    Arsineh Houspian

    Proving that Aussies love anything with jam and coconut, the lamington is the country’s favourite cake.

    Named after Lord Lamington, Queensland’s eighth governor, these delightful squares of sponge cake — dipped in chocolate and coated with coconut — have become nothing short of a culinary icon.

    There are entire websites (and an Australian Lamington Appreciation Society) devoted to the origins of the lamington and how to make them. Achieving the right ratio of chocolate, jam and coconut is essential.

    Source: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/australian-cuisine-expats

  • Australia’s Biggest Pub Launched Near Optus Stadium

    One week out from the AFL season opener and a year on from opening, we talk to Tim McLernon of the Three Pound Group, which launched Australia’s biggest pub, The Camfield, slap-bang next to Perth’s Optus Stadium. 

    Tim McLernon, General Manager of the Three Pound Group says: “From a group point of view, which is The Stables, The Reveley at Elizabeth Quay, The Camfield and Kartel, a month-long pop-up bar, what’s gone well for us was opening The Camfield in February 2018, right next to the new Optus Stadium.

    That’s been a massive positive. Opening a new venue of that sort of size can be a real challenge, from a staffing point of view to just dealing with that amount of people.”

    The Camfield

    “Everything has gone pretty much how we thought it would. Obviously in the weeks building up to it you wonder ‘what the hell have I done here?’ but that’s been a massive positive. We’ve successfully opened a very large venue with a big capacity that has 45 days a year where we’re at capacity from 12pm to 12am.

    “We’ve got everything right – the staffing levels and being able to deal with game days. Even our back of house, which is probably the most important part in these big venues, you’ve got to have the right capacity to hold the stock and have managers able to marshal the troops.

    “The Camfield was a four-year project. We identified and trained up a number of individuals from our other venues we’d earmarked to come to The Camfield as managers or to replace managers leaving our other venues. We really needed to bring our A-team here. We had to draw all of our best guys who I know aren’t going to throw the towel in at 6pm on a Sunday when there are 3,000 people here ‘because it’s a bit too much’.”

    See more at https://www.theshout.com.au/australian-hotelier/launching-australias-biggest-pub-the-camfield-optus-stadium-perth-three-pound-group-tim-mclernon/

  • Here’s Why You Should Skip The Ibuprofen if You’re Hungover

    If you wake up with a headache after a night of overindulging, sometimes figuring out what painkiller to take can make the headache even worse. Taking acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) can lead to liver damage, but take note: you’re also not supposed to drink while taking ibuprofen.

    Ibuprofen drugs (like Advil) are part of the anti-inflammatory drug family known as NSAIDs, which can cause tears in the stomach lining if taken on an empty stomach. Add alcohol to the mix, and the potential danger is heightened. If you take ibuprofen when drinking more than the recommended amount for women (about two to three drinks), you increase your risk of stomach irritation and bleeding. This is especially true for people who are prone to ulcers.

    But wait! Taking Tylenol when you’re hungover isn’t such a good idea either, and aspirin has its downsides too. Acetaminophen can lead to liver damage if you take it in large doses for more than a couple of days. Heavy drinkers who take acetaminophen and don’t eat enough can overtax their livers. According to researchers at Harvard Medical School:

    If you drink a lot of alcohol — say, on a Saturday night — and take a normal dose of acetaminophen to deal with the hangover in the morning, you probably are not going to have liver problems. . . . The trouble starts when regular heavy drinkers take a lot of acetaminophen over a period of time — several days, at least, and maybe longer. (In this context, heavy drinkers are defined as people who regularly have three or more drinks a day.) A drinking habit and a poor diet often go hand in hand. Multiple high doses of acetaminophen are more dangerous for drinkers partly because their glutathione (an antioxidant produced by the liver that supports the immune system and might fight toxins) levels tend to be low because they don’t eat well.

    It may sound like popping a few Tylenols after a night or two of heavy drinking can’t hurt, but the risks associated with taking Tylenol after recreational drinking are somewhat blurry. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory group found in a review of its database and a large liver failure study that the median dose that led to liver failure was between 5,000 and 7,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day — scarily close to the current daily limit of 4,000 milligrams (eight extra-strength Tylenol). The FDA group recommended lowering the daily limit to 3,250 milligrams (or 10 regular-strength Tylenol pills a day) to help prevent accidental overdose.

    So what’s a hungover, headache-plagued gal to do — besides not drinking so much in the first place? Since the jury is still out on the exact effects of combining Advil or Tylenol with booze, it’s probably best just to tough it out. While a recent study in rats found that coffee and aspirin are the best remedies for relieving hangover symptoms, it didn’t look at possible alcohol interactions — and it is known that taking aspirin with alcohol can increase your risk of stomach bleeding. If you’re looking to remedy a hangover, your best bet is to go natural with options like this fresh-pressed hangover juice or a yoga sequence to relieve your symptoms. Even better, help prevent a hangover the next time with these tips.

    Read more at https://www.popsugar.com.au/fitness/Dangerous-Drink-Alcohol-While-Taking-Ibuprofen-45925812#m6sweoVo45bvE3pf.99

  • American Man Vows to Drink Only Beer for 46 Days of Lent

    While many Christians are giving up meat, alcohol and other vices for Lent, one man has vowed to consume a liquid-only diet of just beer.

    Del Hall, who works for a brewing company in Ohio in the US, is set to drink an assortment of beer for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than six weeks until Easter Sunday.

    The beer aficionado told Fox 6 News he took inspiration from German monks in the 17th century who swore off solid food in favour of a diet of homemade hearty bock beer for the 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

    Mr Hall said people “think I’m crazy” but the army veteran admitted he was used to pushing past mental barriers and taking on unthinkable feats.

    He is keen to prove to himself this latest challenge is possible.

    “I’ve run a full marathon before, 26.2 miles [42km]. I’ve done… big challenges, but this seems very daunting, so I’m just curious if I’m up to the challenge if I’m gonna be able to do it or not,” Mr Hall, of Fifty West Brewing Company, said.

    What is Lent?

    For Christians, Lent is a holy time of sacrifice that begins on Ash Wednesday – a day after Pancake (or Shrove) Tuesday.

    It is a six-week-long event marking a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for Easter.

    It usually means giving up certain pleasures to emulate the sacrifice Jesus made when he entered the desert for 40 days.