Health Benefits of Red Wine

Is a glass of wine your idea of unwinding after a tiresome day? If it is then we want to encourage that habit. So does that mean wine is good for you? Well yes, especially the red one but only in moderation. So if you are a wine lover, who enjoys drinking in moderation, it's a good bet as you will be enjoying good health as well.

Wine is essentially made from grapes. Its history spans thousands of years. The original traces of wine can be found somewhere around 7,000 to 5,000 BC. Its use is so wide spread that it is next to tea in some civilizations. So how is this ancient drink beneficial for your health? Here are the answers:

• Reduced risk of heart diseases: One of the most studied benefits of red wine is its heart protective effect. Many studies indicate that red wine contains Resveratrol (found in grape skins and seeds) that can alter the blood lipid level by increasing HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) and prevent blood from clotting (which can lead to heart attack). In fact, drinking of one (for women) or two (for men) glasses of red wine a day reduces the risk of heart ailments by 30 to 40 percent.

• Anti cancer properties: Reservatrol also promotes the death of cancer cells by acting as an antioxidant. It also minimize the DNA mutations that lead to cancer and restricts the growth of new cancer cells by blocking the formation of new blood vessels that cause growth in tumors. It can especially help in some specific types of cancers like ovarian and prostate cancer. However, studies have shown that alcohol can increase estrogen levels and raise tumor progression in women with (or at high risk for) estrogen positive breast cancer.

• Anti aging properties: Let's face it French women are beautiful and all because of red wine. Because the antioxidants protect the human body from the damage of free radicals, they slow down the aging process. Red wine has a much higher concentration of antioxidants called polyphenols (including resveratrol) as compared to grape juice. Antioxidants protect the human body from the damage of free radicals that play a role in aging and age-related diseases. A research published in the open-access journal Public Library of Science One (PLoS One) suggests that drinking red wine may offer many of the same benefits as a reduced-calorie diet (the practice of cutting 20%-30% of calories out of one's typical diet in an effort to improve health and prolong life). Researchers  found that low doses of resveratrol slowed the aging process in middle-aged mice and improved their overall heart health.

• Aids digestion: A lot of fried, processed, junk food contains damaging compounds like lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and malonaldehydes (MDA). These compounds can cause digestive problems and increase the toxicity of the body. Studies have indicated that drinking red wine, with such foods, helps neutralize these compounds in the food by up to 60 to 70 percent, thus aiding the digestion process. This capacity to neutralize toxins comes from the presence of beneficial polyphenols in the red wine.

• Helps in managing stress: Red wine is a gentle tranquilizer and can help people with nervous disorders, or those who suffer from anxiety and stress. It can also help you sleep better, but only when taken in moderation.

• Prevent Alzheimer's Disease: A test conducted on mice showed that red wine helped reduce Alzheimer's-related memory deterioration. Researchers found that resveratrol in red wine also has neuro-protective effects and enhances the degradation of plaques which cause Alzheimer's. Although no human test have been carried till date, but you may never know what surprise is in store.

• Dental health: An Italian study conducted with non-alcoholic red wine found that red wine possess anti-bacterial properties which prevents cavity-causing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) from attacking the tooth enamel. Additionally, a new research shows that polyphenols, natural compounds found in grape seeds and red wine, appear to be have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help to limit the amount of inflammation caused by bacterial infections of the gums, also known as gingivitis.

Red wine vs. white wine

Polyphenols (including resveratrol) are chemical compounds found to be highly concentrated in the skin of grapes. During the wine making process, the longer the skin is kept on the grapes, the greater the concentration of resveratrol in the wine. In the case of white wine production, the skin is removed before fermentation, giving white wines a lower concentration in resveratrol compared to red wines. Therefore, both are good but red's may be slightly better.

How much should I drink?

Red wine should be had in moderation (one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women) to receive the benefits of it. A drink is around 120 ml (4 oz) of wine of about 12% alcohol. Those who overdo it can face an increased risk for elevated fat in the bloodstream, nerve cell damage, and pancreas and liver damage. The American Heart Association cautions people not to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol.

So run to your nearest wine shop (this way you could get a good workout) and buy yourself a good bottle of wine and enjoy it with your family and friends over dinner.

Bottoms Up!