The Truths about Wine and Health

You may have heard many different rumors concerning red wine and how healthy it is for you. Some people, in fact, may go so far as to drink red wine for these supposed benefits even though they don?t actually like it! But it is really worth going out of your way to drink something you don?t like in an attempt to be more healthy?

Many studies, both older and more recent, have shown that drinking a moderate about of red wine can have several heath benefits, including heart benefits. In this case, ?moderate? is defined as a glass a day for women and two glasses a day for men. Many of these studies are focused on European countries, especially those near the Mediterranean. These studies are interesting because they show that even though most diets in the area are quite high in fat, the people living there have low LDL cholesterol levels and good HDL cholesterol levels (the bad and the good cholesterols, respectively). They also tend to have lower blood pressure. The one thing all of these people had in common was that they regularly drank a glass or two of red wine.

What is it about red wine that makes it so healthy? It comes from the antioxidants contains in the grapes used to make it. The seeds contain an antioxidant called resveratrol, while the skin contains flavonoids. The skin and the seeds are actually used in fermenting red wine, while they are not used in making white wine at all. This is why red wine has several health benefits while white wine does not. It is interesting to note, however, that several new studies involving white wine and other alcoholic drinks show that they may have some benefits as well. One study notes that white wine molecules are easier to absorb than those in red wine, for example.

While it is still being studied, many specialists believe resveratrol helps raise the HDL cholesterol levels in our body, which then helps to prevent blood from clotting. Flavonoids, likewise, also help prevent blood clots and can help prevent the formation of plaque in the arteries.

However, while there may be health benefits to drinking red wine, is it really worth the potential health risks of consuming alcohol? After all, we are taught that those who drink regularly may have a drinking problem. How safe is it to consume a glass of red wine daily? Actually, nutritionists have noted that the health benefits truly do outweigh any downsides, but they stress that red wine must be consumed in moderation. Drinking to excess is dangerous and will cause many more problems than benefits. Drinking too much can cause organ damage, obesity, and raise your blood pressure.