2009-03-09 13:10:35
By Stuart Glasure
During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV show that drinking red
wine reduces heart disease. It made all the headlines. He cited the relatively
lower levels of the disease in France despite their ever so famously high fat
diets. Since that program, it seems that red wine health effects have been on
the forefront of the wine consumer s mind.
Good for the Heart
Coronary artery disease is caused by a build up of cholesterol in the arteries
that supply the blood to the heart. If the arteries get partially blocked the
heart cannot get enough oxygen and the result is pain. Does red wine protect
against heart disease?
Many studies suggested that moderate amount of red wine (one to two glasses a
day) lowers the risk of heart attack for middle aged people by 30 to 50
percent. It was also concluded that red wine may prevent additional heart
attacks if you have already suffered from one.
The cholesterol that blocks these arteries is called low density lipo-protein
or referred to as the bad cholesterol. This is cleared from the blood by high
density lipo-proteins or the good cholesterol. Moderate wine consumption
produces a better balance of these two. Additionally, wine has an
anti-coagulation effect which makes the blood less likely to clot.
Red Wines
Chemical and food experts have known for years that wine contains rich deposits
of vitamins
, minerals, and natural sugars that are often beneficial to good health.
Wine is also rich in potassium and low in sodium. Red wines have more of these
elements due to the juices longer contact with the grape skins. Red wines are
also rich in Vitamin B which comes from the grape skins as well.
Wine and Digestion
Wine aids in the production and flow of gastric juices. This facilitates
digestion by breaking down the food in the stomach quickly and effectively. For
many, after the age of 50 our bodies do not produce enough hydrochloric acid
that are needed for digestion. So many doctors, including my own, have
suggested a glass or two of wine with a meal. Who am I to complain?
Wine also has a tranquil effect on the body and helps people who have trouble
sleeping. And it does not stop there as it may help lower the risk of
developing dementia and Alzheimer s disease.
Wine and Calories
As of now, there is no such thing as a diet wine. Unfortunately, there is no
getting away from the fact that wine contains calories, and calories make you
fat if you do not burn them up. A glass of white or red wine contains around
100 calories. Sweeter wines that contain residual sugar as well as alcohol have
more calories.
Final Thoughts
When you put everything together you may decide that a little bit of wine does
you some good. Wine certainly has its place in a healthy lifestyle. That is my
conclusion, and I am sticking with it!
The Author
Stuart Glasure [Designer, Fashion Artist and creator of the Zany Wearables
Collection: http://www.zanygiftware.com/. A wine enthusiast and publishing
member of the wine source: http://www.winedefinitions.com/.]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/ .
Article Posted: April 11, 2006