Sign Up for the Recipe Publishing Newsletter
Red Wine and Your Health
Red wine has been purported to have health benefits in recent years. Studies are showing that when women drink one glass of red wine per day and men drink two glasses per day, they can lower their risk for heart attack by as much as 30 to 50%. Studies also suggest that it may prevent an additional heart attack if you have already had one.
Another study suggests that regular consumption of red wine raises the good cholesterol (HDL) while it prevents the bad cholesterol (LDL) from forming. Red wine may help prevent blood clots and fat deposits in blood vessels. In fact, red wine seems to help prevent many forms of heart disease.
Red wine is a rich source of antioxidants. It has phenolic constituents known as flavonoids and resveratrol. Resveratrol in particular is excellent at preventing blood clots and increasing HDL. Flavonoids help prevent plaque from forming in the arteries as well as preventing clots.
Red wine may also help prevent some types of cancer. Resveratrol also seems to minimize the DNA mutations that can lead to cancer. It also blocks the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors and suppresses tumor growth. In laboratory studies, resveratrol was shown to cause some cancer cells to disintegrate into particles that could be consumed by other cells. So far, resveratrol has been shown to be effective with breast, skin, prostate, and leukemia cells. A study from the State University of New York at Stony Brook states that a glass of red wine per week may help prevent colon cancer.
Another study done in 2003 in Switzerland suggests that resveratrol may also protect the nervous system from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. It is thought that it may have a neuro-protective action. Resveratrol may prevent accumulations of beta amyloid, which is a protein that can lead to memory loss and dementia.
The University of California at Davis tested many varieties of wines to see which ones had the highest amounts of these beneficial antioxidants. Cabernet Sauvignon came out with the highest levels. Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir came in with the next highest quantities. Merlots and zinfandels had lower levels. The best way to choose wines for their healthful qualities is to stick with dry red wines. The sweeter the wine is, the fewer flavonoids it will have.
Most doctors, despite the studies, do not recommend adding alcohol to your diet if you do not already drink it. Luckily, if you want to get the same benefits without the wine, you can enjoy fresh grapes, non-alcoholic red wine or grape juice. Grape juice, however, did not do much to lower the bad cholesterol levels. Like many other beneficial foods, wine should be consumed in moderation. Other sources of these antioxidants are available as extracts, capsules, and supplements.
This combination of antioxidants is proving to be very beneficial to many people from all walks of life. Adding resveratrol to your diet in one form or another may help you avoid many of these possible health issues.
