Drinking Red Wine is Actually Good for you
Wine is full of antioxidants
Sipping a glass of wine by a roaring fire, or on a balcony overlooking the city, or at the waters’ edge on the beach, does more than just relax you. Research has now discovered the many benefits of a glass of wine
The research papers throw out some real fancy, big words: polyphenol procyanidins, piceatonnol and resveratrol. These are all types of compounds found in wine. My apologies to all chemists and pharmacists for stating their importance so minimal. Basically they are all a group of plant compounds that have antioxidants properties. Resveratrol is one of the highest rated antioxidants. It is a flavonoid that can help prevent damage to heart muscles.
Resveratrol in red wine comes from the skin of grapes. The fermentation process of red wine is longer so the skin stays on the grapes longer than it does in producing white wine. So the red wine contains more resveratrol. The darker the wine, the better the effects of the antioxidants. These antioxidants soak up the damaging free radicals. These free radicals can cause aging and age related diseases. The red wine qualities help to remove theses toxins and help you to live longer and look younger.
Resveratrol helps to increase levels of good cholesterol and protect your arteries from damage. It does this by protecting the blood vessels and preventing blood clots.
A Harvard study revealed these compounds also help to increase the lifespan of the mitochondria cells. These cells supply energy to your body. The alcohol helps to build bones. One average beverage per day helps women avoid osteoporosis by boosting bone density.
Medical Studies Prove it!
Just to prove these studies were not done by or financed by wine producers, I am including my sources. The many benefits of sipping red wine include:
1. Longevity - Journal of Gerontology 2007 those drinking wine had a 34% lower mortality rate than beer or spirit drinkers
2. Reduces the risk of heart attack- Harvard School of Public Health 2007 moderate drinkers with high blood pressure were 30% less likely to have a heart attack than non-drinkers.
3. Lower risk of Heart Disease- Queen Mary University in London 2006 the Procyanidins in red wine help protect the heart against disease
4. Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes- Amsterdam’s VU University Medical Center 2005- wine drinkers had a 30% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-drinkers
5. Lower risk of stroke- Columbia University 2006- risk of blood clots drop 50% for those who drink wine.
6. Cuts risk of cataracts-Nature 2003-those who drink are 32% less likely to get cataracts than non-drinkers, and wine drinkers ate 43% less likely than beer drinkers.
7. Cuts the risk of Colon Cancer- American Journal of Gastroenterology 2005- there is a 45% cut in the risk of colon cancer in wine drinkers.
I am sure there are many more benefits to wine consumption, in moderation of course. Enjoy a glass and relax.