Red Wine and Health: The Costs and Benefits
Over the past few years, a number of people have extolled the virtues of red wine in relation to health. But is it all good news, or like so many other things in life, are there costs as well as benefits?
Take one glass of Cabernet Sauvignon daily and do not exceed the stated dose. This isn’t just my fantasy, the facts speak for themselves. Scientists have been extolling the virtues of red wine for quite some time, but in case you’ve missed the details, this might be a good time to pop a cork and read how your modest indulgence is doing you so much good.
Researchers from the University of Milan found that neural tissue will regenerate when exposed to the chemical resveratrol. Resveratrol is found in grapes, some berries, peanuts and wine. Not only is resveratrol known to help fight infections on the grape vine, in conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, a daily glass or two of wine actually helps to strengthen neural connections by a factor of seven.
Resveratrol has recently been shown to reduce age related problems in middle-aged mice. Harvard Medical School researchers gave resveratrol supplements to mice and found they maintained good cardiovascular health, strong bones, good eyesight and good balance. Although the mice lived no longer than other mice their quality of life was far superior.
Unlike spirits, beers or larger, wine is know to have health benefits even to the level of protecting us against the common cold. In one study it was found that a daily glass of vino afforded to 4,000 volunteers provided more protection against the common cold when compared with teetotallers. However, when the dosage increased to two glasses a day the volunteers had 44 per cent fewer colds than non-drinkers.
Wine drinking has become part of our lifestyle. Sipping red wine at home or in a social setting acts a useful aid in reducing stress and encouraging conversation. Studies have shown that people who drink alcohol modestly are more socially outgoing and less prone to depression or social isolation.
Not all wines are equal. After testing 23 red wines, four white wines, a rosé and one grape juice sample, a team of researchers at the London School of Medicine and Queen Mary University, identified Cabernet Sauvignon as the most effective in helping to reduce heart attacks. A protein called endothelin-1 is implicated in the fatty build up within arteries that can lead to heart attacks. Researchers discovered that a group of chemicals called polyphenols, only discovered in red wine, decreased the manufacture of endothelin-1 in the walls of arteries.
Wine drinking is not all good news and the benefits need to be weighed against the costs. The beneficial effects of red wine seem to be directly related to relatively low but consistent consumption. Red wine is, of course, an alcoholic beverage and as alcohol is a known toxin it is important to keep things in perspective. Pregnant women should avoid alcohol and it’s possible that two glasses might increase the risk of breast cancer. The World Health Organisation also cautions that alcohol is implicated in some cancers. In France, the problem of excessive drinking was brought sharply into perspective by a report claiming that 23,000 deaths a year are directly due to alcohol misuse and indirectly for a further 22,000.
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