The Health Advantages of Drinking Wine

One of the questions asked most frequently byreduces the risk of kidney stone formation.
my patients is whether wine is good for them.Cancer cells killed by protein in red grape skins
There is much controversy surrounding this(University of Virginia Health System, 2004)
subject lately and this is why. While researchHeart Health Benefits:
supports the benefits of drinking wine, particularlyScientists believe the red wine reduces the risk of
red, it also points out that heavy drinking willcoronary heart disease by reducing production of
conversely be detrimental.low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and
So when I am asked that question I explain thatboosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
wine can be good for you in moderation and asCoronary heart disease reduced (University of
part of an overall healthy diet. In other words theCalifornia, Davis, 1995) Arteries kept clean by
amount of wine you drink matters tremendously.polyphenols in red grape skins (William Harvey
If you drink more than what's recommended,Research Institute, 2002) Atherosclerosis: Red
your health benefits are lost and your health riskswine may prevent the initiation and progression of
go up.atherosclerosis (hardening or "furring" of the
Here's what's considered safe and effective:arteries). Both the alcohol and polyphenols in the
Men: No more than two drinks per day. Women:red wine appear to favorably maintain healthy
No more than one drink per day. One drink isblood vessels by promoting the formation of nitric
defined as a 5-ounce glass of red or white wine.oxide (NO), the key chemical relaxing factor that
And no you cannot save up the one or twoplays an important role in the regulation of
drinks per day and have them all on the weekend!vascular tone.
Why all the curiosity about wine's health benefitsWomen's Health Benefits:
in the first place? The intrigue started in the 90'sDecreased ovarian cancer risk (The Queensland
when baffled researchers launched a study ofInstitute of Medical Research in Australia, 2004)
French people, trying to determine why theyStronger bones (Twin Research and Genetic
were not suffering from more heart attacks withEpidemiology Unit, St. Thomas' Hospital in London,
diets so high in cheese fats.2004) Lower risk of stroke (Centers for Disease
The findings showed that it was due to theirControl and Prevention, 2001)
moderate and steady intake of wine. Long afterMen's Health Benefits:
this discovery, a bevy of research continued toLower risk of heart attack for men with high
support drinking wine for good health. The firstblood pressure (Worcester Medical Center in
studies show great health benefits from theMassachusetts, 2004) Hypertension: There is
healing powers of resveratrol, an antioxidantsome evidence of favorable effects of red wine
found in red grape skins and therefore in redon blood pressure. Two glasses of red wine (250
wine. But now they're also finding just as manyml); taken together with the meal, lower
benefits from white wines.post-meal blood pressure in hypertensive
All kinds of new findings are cropping up on a dailyperrsons.
basis. Take a look at some of the most recentIt's great to discover that something you enjoy
studies that boast the health advantages of wine:could actually be healthy. However, I do not
Overall Health Benefits:recommend that my patients over indulge just
Anti-aging effects in red grape skins (Harvardbecause the news is good. A word of caution
Medical School in Boston, 2004) Reduced risk ofworth repeating; overdoing anything is a recipe
death from nearly all causes: According to studiesfor disaster and can lead to even bigger health
from France, UK, Finland and Denmark, moderateissues". That said, go ahead and enjoy your glass
consumption of wine is more beneficial than thatof wine tonight knowing that it is a healthy choice
of beer or spirits. Kidney stones: Red wine intakeof beverage!