How to improve your life with wine
Thursday, 1 November, 2012
Shante Hutton
Wine is constantly undergoing prods and probes into whether it is good for you or your worst enemy.
It has received reviews that would make a grown man cry and yet at the same time has also been hailed as holding health benefits befitting of a spinach, blueberries and flax seed smoothie. I did a little biased digging to see what benefits wine had on my life.
Wine takes on the common cold:
A recent study by Spanish researchers found that the alcohol in red wine and the grapes themselves may both be beneficial for the heart. A year-long Spanish study of 4,000 volunteers found that drinking wine - especially red - can prevent people developing colds, which doesn’t sound as impressive as it should but think of this, for every glass of red wine you consume, you’ll be using less tissues which means less trees are being destroyed. Kudos to you for saving the Planet.
The good, the bad, and the not-so-forgetful:
Furthermore, scientists believe that the antioxidants, called flavanoids, which are found in red wines, can considerably reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. It is said that they reduce bad cholesterol, boast your good cholesterol and reduce blood clotting. There have even been links found to the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers. But note that the varieties with the most flavanoids are the Cabernet Sauvignons, the Petit Syrahs and the Pinot Noirs. The sweeter the wine, the less health-boasting properties. So long Late Harvests.
A good wine a day keeps the Dentist away:
There are even newer discoveries that state that red wine can help fight inflammation and pain caused by gum disease. Don’t take that as an excuse to throw away your toothpaste though!
All in moderation:
Of course, there are negative impacts of wine that I couldn't totally ignore. For all its benefits, there are seen to be risks. For its prevention of cancerous tumors and antioxidants there is the concern for liver disease and increased triglycerides. However, as the best health professionals always say, everything in moderation; even exercise can kill.
Enjoy wine for your health
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