I’m not sure if Silvano Gallus knows what he’s talking about, but I like where his head is at.

It would be easy to dismiss what the Italian scientist has to say out of hand, but he was recently awarded an Ig Nobel prize for his work toward “collecting evidence that pizza may prevent illness and death if the pizza is made and eaten in Italy”.

That’s Ig Nobel, not Nobel, and the difference is important.

Here’s the New York Post with why:

This tongue-in-cheek honor aims to “celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative — and spur people’s interest in science, medicine and technology,” per the publication.

Still, the ceremony, which took place earlier this month at Harvard University’s Sanders Theater, drew 1,100 spectators, many of whom applauded as Gallus took the stage to accept his award.

“What did we find in our research? We found that analyzing data from a combination of large Italian epidemiological studies, we found that people who regularly consumed pizza had a decreased risk of digestive cancer and myocardial infarction,” Gallus said during his speech.

Hurrah for pizza.

Gallus did add an important caveat to the findings of that study:

He also clarified that the pizza he’s talking about — made and consumed in Italy — is not entirely healthy in and of itself. As also outlined in the studies his team published between 2003 and 2006, he and his team suggested that the consumption of an Italian pizza’s Mediterranean ingredients indicated a healthier Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to a healthier lifestyle.

“Our interpretation is that pizza may represent a general indication, a marker, of the Italian diet that, as other Mediterranean diets [have], has been shown to have major health benefits,” Gallus said.

“In conclusion, we recommend eating Italian pizza, but please, please hold the pepperoni for health reasons,” he added.

Listen, pal – I will give up pineapple at the drop of a hat, but you’re asking for a lot with pepperoni.

My favourite thing about the Ig Nobel Prize awards ceremony is that recipients who talk for longer than necessary are met by a young girl who stands in front of them and shouts “I’m bored, please stop!”

The Oscars should look into this.

I don’t know if Cape Town’s finest pizzas, from the esteemed folks over at Butler’s, prevent cancer, but I do know that they cure the munchies.

Have a quick look at their specials before you’re on your way:

That Monday deal has your name on it.

Feast.

[source:nypost]