Red wine is a drink enjoyed by millions all over the world; the perfect accompaniment to many different foods as well as being an enjoyable drink to sip by itself.
To the delight of many a red wine-drinker, the drink has many health benefits too. Health benefits were first suspected due to what is known as the 'French paradox'; that is, the fact that in France people eat a very high fat diet such as foods like foie gras and cheeses being consumed in large amounts, yet incidences of coronary heart disease are relatively low.
Investigations into this paradox led to the conclusion that it was French people's consumption of red wine that was protecting their hearts from the saturated fat they consume. When this information was aired on television in 1991 in the United States, sales of red wine increased by 44 per cent. Subsequent studies have suggested that the amount of heart disease in France could have been underestimated, but there is still no denying the red stuff does indeed have some great health benefits.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is the star of the show when it comes to wine. This powerful antioxidant is found in the skins and seeds of red grapes and has an anti-clotting effect on the blood which can lower the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Resveratrol is also a phytoestrogen, meaning it mimics estrogens in the body and therefore may help conditions caused by decrease in natural estrogens in the body, like the menopause, osteoporosis, breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
This antioxidant has also been found in studies to increase the amount of good cholesterol, HDL, in the blood, and reduce the amount of bad cholesterol, LDL.
There are other antioxidants contained within the wine that are thought to have similar protective benefits, including saponins which may offer protective heart benefits, catechin, which is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, and guercetin which is being studied as a preventative against lung cancer. Further scientific research is needed however on these antioxidants before any definitive claims can be made.
One particular study, widely reported in the media, indicated that Cabernet Sauvignon may in fact offer the greatest health benefits of the red wines.
Moderate consumption
Of course, the advice for consumption of red wine, as with any alcohol, is to drink it in moderation; one or two small glasses a day, lest the alcohol content will override any health-giving benefits the wine offers to the body.
Author Resource:-
Dominic Donaldson is a wine expert with many years of experience in the industry. Find out more about Red wine and the fantastic varieties available.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 