WHETHER red wine has any prominent health benefit is still a debatable issue. However, studies have shown that consuming a moderate amount of red wine, which has an alcohol content of 12 percent -15 percent on a daily basis helps in the prevention of a number of diseases including heart disease.
But, could a glass of red wine really be a heart-health booster?
Red wines, which may vary in taste and color, are prepared by crushing and fermenting whole, dark-colored grapes.
There are many varieties of red wine, the most common of which are Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz etc.
According to a new study in Hypertension, you can toast with confidence, researchers evaluated food intake of over 100 items for 904 adults between the ages of 25 and 82, and assessed other factors as well, such as gut bacteria composition and blood pressure levels.
They found that those who consumed the most flavonoid-rich foods had lower systolic blood pressure compared to those who had the least.
In the study, drinking just under three glasses of red wine per week was associated with an average of 3.7 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure than non-drinkers.
Another recent study, published in Neurology, found that people who eat a diet high in flavonoids have up to 20 percent lower risk of cognitive decline as they age, also due to less inflammation.
That’s an indication that reducing inflammation through healthy eating—and an occasional glass of red wine—can have a positive effect on the body, even if you’re starting this way of eating later in life, according to that study’s author, Walter Willett, M.D., professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University.
“Adding these foods is a simple change anyone can make, and it can offer benefits at any time,” he said.
“You don’t have to eat like this for years for it to have significant advantages, you can see a protective effect right away. And you’ll likely see a profound impact as you continue.”
In addition to red wine, flavonoid compounds are found in berries, apples, pears, bell peppers, red cabbage, black and green tea, and dark chocolate.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRINKING RED WINE:
Rich in antioxidants: Before consuming a red wines you need to know to almost everything about a wine. What are the negative and positive effects it can cause on your health because it is enriched with powerful anti-oxidants. Darker grapes are higher in antioxidants like resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin, and proanthocyanidins. Of these, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are mainly responsible for keeping you healthy.
Lowers bad cholesterol: Red wines are known to lower the bad cholesterol in your system.
Regulates blood sugar: Resveratrol, the natural compound found in grape skin, controls blood sugar levels in diabetic persons. The research showed that subjects who took 250 mg of resveratrol supplements once daily for three months had lower glucose levels in blood than those who did not. Resveratrol also controls cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure.
Reduces the risk of cancer: Regular and moderate consumption of red wine can effectively reduce the risks of certain types of cancers such as basal cell, colon, prostrate carcinoma, ovarian etc. Scientists used a dose of resveratrol on human cancer cells and found that it obstructs the key action of a cancer aiding protein.
Helps treat common cold: The antioxidants present in red wines treat common cold, since antioxidants protects cells against the harmful effects of free radicals.
Reduces the risk of depression: A study carried out on middle aged to elderly people showed that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily keeps away depression. People who drink red wine are less likely to be depressed than people who don’t.
Has positive effects on the digestive system: The anti-bacterial nature of red wines has enabled it to treat stomach irritation and other digestive disorders. Wine consumption has also proven to reduce the risk of infection from Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium usually found in the stomach.
Excessive drinking of alcohol can have a number of negative effects on the body, which include liver cirrhosis, weight gain etc. It can even pose a threat to life.
However, that doesn’t mean you cannot indulge in drinking your favorite red wine once in awhile.
Ideally, it shouldn’t be more than 1-1.5 glasses a day for women and 1-2 glasses a day for men. It is also advisable to skip wine for 1 or 2 days in between so that there is sufficient gap in drinking.
However, this should be your total drinking limit and not for wine alone.
It is not always necessary to consume wine by the glass alone.
You can use it as an ingredient in your food or prepare a red wine sauce to go with your dinner and still reap the same benefits. Red wine also has a host of other health benefits such as treating headaches, reducing calorie intake by killing the appetite, etc.
If you are a wine lover you can use it to your own health benefits by consuming it in the right amounts. Although, there are other ways of staying healthy, wine enthusiasts can mend their drinking ways and ensure a better, disease free life.
Additional reports from Whitehall Lane/Eat This, Not That
