Five ways in which drinking wine can protect you and keep you healthy.
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting grapes. Studies have shown that drinking a glass or two of red wine a day can significantly improve the health of an individual. Let us examine those benefits a little more closely.
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Traditionally wine is consumed more so in Europe than in any other part of the world. Historically wine originated around sites in Georgia and Iran around 6000 BC. In Europe the earliest consumption of wine dates back to 4500 BC and comes from archaeological sites in Greece. In India, grapevine was introduced by the Persians around 5000 BC and is clearly evident in the writings of the 4th century BC chief minister, Chanakaya, of the emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
Wine consumption, it seems, is quite popular all over the world. Usually a glass of wine accompanies a meal. Wine is also used as flavoring agent, primarily in stocks and braising, since its acidity lends balance to rich savory or sweet dishes. The health benefits associated with wine have been studied over many years and it is generally safe to say that moderate consumption of wine is beneficial.
There are many chemicals in red wine that make it good for the body. But among them is one called resveratol. Resveratol and other such compounds fall in the category of polyphenols. Polyphenols play a crucial role in the health benefits of wine by acting as antioxidants, which prevent cell damage in the body. The full effects of polyphenols is not yet clearly understood; however, they seem to be the most important of all of the ingredients in wine that are important to good health. You can protect your health in the following five ways by drinking wine:
Beneficial in Fighting Heart Disease
A recent report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests consuming a daily glass of wine. This results in the increase of inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, which in turn are responsible for healthy arteries.
Good foor Bone Health
Studies conducted in London and in France suggest that women who consume wine regularly show an increase in bone density. This is particularly helpful for elderly women as osteoporosis can be delayed or even avoided all together. Scientists suspect that alcohol increases the level of estrogen in women along with other hormones that contribute to strong bones.
Cancer Fighting Properties
The antioxidant resveratol has been linked with cancer fighting properties and studies suggest that it may reduce the risk of certain forms of esophageal cancers and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in women.
Avoiding Type 2 Diabetes
Improving your body’s sensitivity to insulin by consuming wine can allow your body to respond effectively to this hormone, thereby reducing your chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes, according to a new study in Diabetologia.
Recommended for Liver Health
Researchers from the University of California recommend drinking a glass of wine a day as it cuts your risk in half of developing fatty liver disease. For those consuming beer and liquor it actually increases the odds of getting the disease by a factor of four.
So do enjoy drinking wine moderately. Over consumption of wine or any other alcoholic beverage has been known to be detrimental to health. The recommended amount is 1-2 glasses of wine a day, preferably red.
