Research shows that red wine can decrease the risk of coronary heart disease, lung and prostate cancers, dementia, stroke, diabetes, macular degeneration, kidney stones and osteoporosis.
Low to moderate drinking red wine reduces causes of mortality, while too much drinking causes multiple organ damage.
Reasons why red wine is beneficial
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Red wine contains antioxidant chemicals that have also been credited with a lowered risk of heart disease. The antioxidants, called flavonoids, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Procyanidins are powerful antioxidants. Levels of procyanidins in red wine range from 81 to 273 mg/L. HDL stops cholesterol build up in the walls of the arteries. If the level of HDL cholesterol is below 40 mg/dL, your risk from heart disease is much greater.
Red wine helps in boosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Having excessive LDL cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Red wine reduces production of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Flavonoids, prevents molecules known as “free-radicals” from doing cellular damage.
2. Rich in Polyphenols
Red wine is rich in a class of compounds known as polyphenols, which can also be found in teas, chocolate, and fruit. Polyphenols have been associated with numerous cardiovascular benefits. They reduce blood clots, relax blood vessels and promote healthy cholesterol metabolism. Polyphenols appear to stimulate sirtuin enzymes and extend the organism’s lifespan.
The most potent polyphenol in red wine is resveratrol. It is a compound that behaves similar to the Calorie Restriction Diet (CR) and is found in grape skins and seeds. Resveratrol is produced when the plant is being attacked by bacteria or fungi. It increases HDL cholesterol, prevents blood clotting and may reduce tumor development in some cancers. it also aids in the formation of nerve cells, which in turn may be helpful in the treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, boost the immune system, and even gives prolong life.
Resveratrol is also being studied as a possible antioxidant which can assist in weight loss programs and for the control of diabetes. A result of study showed improved blood vessel functioning after just two weeks of drinking alcoholic red wine.
Red wine also helps our body to excrete excess sodium, so red wine acts like a diuretic, which lowers our blood pressure.
Don’t drink too much!
Men can benefit from consuming one to two servings per day but women should consume only one serving per day to obtain the maximum benefits.
Best to end with an Italian saying: “One barrel of wine can work more miracles than a church full of saints.”
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