The Various Health Benefits Of Drinking Wine
We often read stories about alcohol being bad for our bodies. It is true that too much of what we might consider a good thing can be bad, but in moderation, wine can actually be good for us. The health benefits of drinking wine include keeping our heart in good condition and preventing cancer. Notice the word “moderation” here, as that is the key to getting the most benefit from wine. When a person is in good health and follows a healthy diet, a glass of wine can make a positive impact on the body.
What makes a small amount of wine good for us? Its naturally occurring plant compounds called phytochemicals and its alcohol content. These two things can reduce risk for certain cancers and heart disease. In moderate amounts, alcohol can thin the blood and increase the HDL “good” cholesterol level. Wine is not the only form of alcohol that has these cardiovascular benefits. Hard liquor and beer can also be effective in this regard.
Resveratrol and flavanoids are two non-alcoholic phytochemicals contained in wine. These perform as antioxidants, preventing free radical molecules from inflicting cellular damage within our bodies. Resveratrol prevents plaque formation within arteries and blood clotting. Studies reveal that it alters plasma viscosity and lipid profiles. This phytochemical can also create anti-thrombotic agents that have the potential to lower coronary heart disease risk and improve cardiovascular health.
Wine has a higher concentration of resveratrol when the skin remains on the grape longer, providing red wine with more resveratrol than white wine. The process to create white wine involves removing the skin prior to fermentation. Resveratrol concentrations also increase when wine is produced in cooler climates. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that drinking one glass of wine daily can also increase the level of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood, which fights inflammation and results in healthier arteries. Studies conducted on animals resulted in a reduction of tumor occurrence by affecting stages of cancer development.
Wine can also slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, and other neurological degenerative disorders. Alcohol has also been shown to increase hormones like estrogen that are important for strong bones. Drinking a glass of wine can improve bone strength, decreasing the risk of hip fracture by up to 20 percent. Someone who drinks a glass of wine regularly also cuts the risk of fatty liver disease in half, according to research done by the University of California, San Diego. Drinking wine can also improve the body’s response to the hormone insulin. When the body more effectively responds to insulin the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes is decreased.
How effective wine is at doing all of this is dependent on the amount of wine that is consumed. Health benefits are lost when a person drinks more than is recommended. At that point, risks to the health increase. The effective and safe recommended dosage is no more than one drink daily for women and no more than two drinks each day for men. A five-ounce glass of white or red wine is considered one drink.
Alas, wine is not the key to good health for all of us. Consuming wine can worsen certain medical conditions so it is recommended that an individual seek medical advice prior to beginning this practice. Wine can elevate the level of triglycerides, which is associated with diabetes and other health issues. Individuals with high triglycerides should actually limit or avoid drinking wine and other alcohol.
The fact that estrogen levels are increased by wine can be a bad thing. This can increase the progression of tumors in women who are at high risk for developing or already have estrogen positive breast cancer. A person who suffers from migraines sometimes realizes that wine is a trigger for the painful headaches. Red wine seems to be more of a trigger than white even though white contains more sulfites. Red has an accumulation of tannins and histamines due to the prolonged contact with the grape skin.
Alcohol contains empty calories, which are calories that do not contain nutrients and can result in weight gain. One glass of red or white wine has about 120 calories. Drinking a bottle, which equates to about four glasses, is the same as drinking two 20-ounce Coca-Colas. However, when consumed in moderation by someone who is otherwise healthy and enjoys a nutritious diet, the health benefits of drinking wine can far outweigh the extra calories. After all, these can be burned off through some good old-fashioned exercise.