How Healthy Is Red Wine, Really?
Well certainly, the latest research is encouraging for those of us who find joy and
perhaps even contentment in having a couple of glasses of red with dinner, or later, sitting in front of the fireplace contemplating the day, the glass of cabernet in your hand catching the firelight. And now there's more to think about as you sip away, like what a great way this is to benefit your health!
Down through the ages, wine has been used as a medicinal tool for everything from a topical antiseptic to relieving labor pains. Now, with modern technology, we are discovering even more about its healing properties.
In the fight against cancer
Red wine contains resveratrol, a naturally occurring anti-fungicide found in the skins of red grapes. This acts as an antioxidant in the body, suppressing free radicals and thereby reducing the aging and potentially cancer-causing damage to DNA cells. Drinking a moderate amount of red has been shown to reduce the incidence of both lung and prostate cancer. In fact, drinking a glass of red wine a day may cut a man's risk of prostate cancer in half.
Heart health
In experiments on mice and rats, resveratrol has been shown to decrease plaque formation in the arteries and also to decrease the incidence of blood clots. This could be the explanation for the "French Paradox", ie the low death rate from heart problems among the French even though their diet is traditionally rich in fat. It is thought the red wine they habitually drink with their meals might provide the answer.
Weight loss - Early studies in mice have shown resveratrol to have fat-fighting properties by preventing pre-fat cells from maturing. Now this is really good news! Wine and a pizza or three.... The research is on-going.
Diabetes - A glass of red wine a day could prevent or control diabetes. Certain ingredients in the wine seem to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. This is a controversial study and further research is needed.
Sex
One or two glasses of red a day can increase a woman's sexual desire, perhaps by increasing the blood flow to the sexual organs. The study was done on women who were teetotal, those who drank red wine and those who drank a different alcoholic beverage. Women who drank more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day were excluded from the study as drunkenness might then be the reason for their increased libido. The moderate red wine drinkers were found to come out tops on sexual activity.
Sleep
Melatonin, the hormone that prompts us to go to sleep, is abundant in the skins of red grapes. The best wines to drink for this great sleep aid are Merlot, Chianti and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The common cold - Research has shown that a moderate amount of red wine per day can protect you from the common cold. This could be down to resveratrol once again, with it's anti-inflammatory properties, or it could be the flavonoids in red wine, which have anti-viral properties.
Cholesterol
Another group of chemicals in red wine called saponins are thought to lower cholesterol. These are believed to block the absorption of cholesterol by binding to it. Follow-up studies are being undertaken.
The Brain
Scientists have discovered that a large daily intake of red wine (experiment done on rats), does not damage the brain in the way that other alcoholic drinks can. It is believed the antioxidants in red wine protect the brain from the damaging effects of alcohol. While it is not recommended that humans ever drink vast quantities of any alcohol, the study does prove the beneficial effects of the antioxidants contained in red wine.
A word of caution: All the above benefits come about with moderate red wine consumption. Doctors generally define moderate as a 5 ounce or 150 ml glass of wine per day for women and two glasses per day for men.
And a tip: Since absorption of resveratrol through the gut is not entirely effective, it is recommended that the wine be slowly sipped in order to increase resveratrol absorption through the lining of the mouth.
So, as I leave you to contemplate beside your fireplace, here's to your good sipping and good health. Cheers!
by: Harry Linzie
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