If you haven't been advised by your doctor than you have probably seen articles on the healthy ingredients in wine. Many customers come in and tell me that their doctor tells them to start drinking one glass of wine a day for their health and yet it seems these doctors don't fully explain the reasons behind their prescriptions.
Hopefully I can break down the myths and facts for you and even recommend some good wines that may help. First, one of the reasons we are just finding out about the effects of wine is because of the history our country holds. The effects of prohibition and the ban of alcoholic beverages may have hindered the research and slowed the discovery of the fascinating ingredients of Resveratrol and Quercetin.
Resveratrol and Quercetin are found in the seeds and skins of grapes and are polyphenols. You may also find it in other foods such as peanuts and blueberries and in dark red wines. Unfortunately white wines don't have the same effect as red wines because the skins and seeds are usually green and Resveratrol is mostly found in dark grapes.
The benefits of Resveratrol and Quercetin are many. Some say it is anti-aging and postpones alzheimers and parkinson disease as well as loss of memory. It is also known to reduce inflammation and protects the cells in your brain as well as neuron pathways from damage. Some studies even show the prevention of some cancers and heart disease. Not only is it an antioxidant but it also purges the body of bad blood cells. The reason many doctors tell you to drink wine is because wine reduces anxiety and tension and aids in digestion.
A Farmingham heart study in the 1970 showed that moderate wine drinkers had 50% fewer deaths from heart disease than non drinkers. Did you also know that wine was actually safer to drink than water up until the 18th century. These are some of the facts behind the healthy benefits of wine but there are a few things to remember when drinking wine.
Many patients with a cardiac history might be on a once a day tylenol regimen for prevention of strokes but please note that the combination of acetaminophens and ethanol causes liver damage so it isn't wise to mix aspirin and wine. Another thing to remember is that one or two glasses a day with dinner is the recommended dosage.
Four or more glasses of wine raises the blood pressure to a level of concern so please don't over indulge. There are also situations where you shouldn't drink wine such as kidney disease, liver disease, urinary infections and even women with breast cancer due to the strain on the body to absorb the alcohol in wine, but there are alternatives like grape juice and peanuts as well as eating grapes which contain Resveratrol.
