January 23, 2012
In studies conducted in 1992, it was observed that in southern France, mortality rates from heart disease were lower than expected despite the consumption of diets high in saturated fat. Researchers attributed the impressive low incidence of heart disease, 50 percent lower than in the Unites States, to the consumption of red wine. Since then, the possibility that drinking red wine might protect our heart arteries, has made the topic “wine and health” extremely popular. In fact, research has shown that taken in moderation -two 8 ounces glasses for men and 1 glass for women per day, red wine may increase HDL cholesterol, the “good” guy, decrease LDL cholesterol, the “bad” one, prevent oxidation of LDL, and scavenge free radicals.
What is the secret in red wine?
Since the discovery of the “French Paradox” puzzle in 1992, researchers have been trying to pinpoint why red wine has a cardiovascular protective effect. While studies have been focusing in the antioxidant properties of red wine, evidence suggests other mechanisms by which it might be beneficial for our health. Research points toward a family of substances called polyphenols which are found in plants and are abundant in grapes. Polyphenols are part of a larger family known as phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals: Medicine of the future
The word “phyto” means “plant” in Greek. Phytochemicals are nonnutritive chemicals found in plants that protect us against diseases. Many fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of phytochemicals; in fact, researchers have identified by now more then 900 different phytochemicals in foods and they are not done yet, since every day they discover new ones. It is estimated that there may be more than 100 different phytochemicals in just one serving of fruit or vegetables.
Studies have long shown that phytochemicals are present in plants to protect them, but only recently we have learned that they are also crucial in protecting humans against diseases. We know that people who consume plant foods regularly have a lower incidence of heart disease than people who do not include them in their diet.
How can phenol-phytochemicals protect our arteries?
Polyphenols can protect our arteries through the following mechanisms:
* Lowering LDL cholesterol in the blood. A study conducted to evaluate the effect of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on cardiovascular risk factors found out that at the end of the red wine intake period, 4 weeks, LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL had significantly decreased, while HDL Cholesterol and the total antioxidant capacity of the blood had increased.
* Recycling vitamin E as an antioxidant. This is very important because vitamin E represents the first line of defense against LDL oxidation. Once vitamin E is exhausted, LDL cholesterol is no longer protected until the vitamin can be reactivated by agents such as polyphenols.
* Increasing the production of nitric oxide, a substance that causes the arteries and veins to relax.
* Preventing platelets from sticking to the inside walls of the arteries. Platelets are tiny particles found in the blood that play an important part in the clotting process.
Red versus white wine
White wines have shown the ability to prevent the oxidation of LDL but generally are not as effective as red wines. Polyphenol content of red wine can be about 20 times higher than in white wine and it has been observed in several studies that the antioxidant potential of red wine is six to ten times higher than white wine. About eight times more of white wine is required to produce an effect equal to red wine on preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Three factors account for these results:
* Grape skins are not included in the production of white wine.
* Red wine is made with whole grapes, including skins
* The skins of red grapes contain higher amounts of polyphenols than the skins of white grapes.
Wine or grapes for healthy arteries?
If the polyphenols in grapes are mostly in the skins, can we just have red grapes or red grape juice, which is also made with the grape skins, and obtain the same beneficial effects as drinking red wine? Yes, we can, researchers tell us.
This study, among others, showed that red grape juice and dealcoholized red wine can significantly reduce arterial disease by lowering the level of oxidized cholesterol, preventing platelets to stick together, and enhancing the production of nitric oxide. In another study, grape juice proved to be more effective than red wine or dealcoholized red wine in inhibiting arterial disease at the same polyphenol dose. The researchers concluded that grape juice or non-alcoholic red wine are an excellent alternative to red wine when in comes to disease of the arteries.
Conclusion
Although research has shown that in the absence of contraindications, moderate red wine drinking, two 8 ounces glasses for men and 1 glass for women per day, may be beneficial to patients who have a cardiovascular condition, those health effects disappear very fast and can have serious health implications when we abuse drinking. And since studies indicate that most of the beneficial effects of drinking red wine are attributable to the polyphenols present in grapes, we may conclude that a diet that includes grapes as well as other fruits and vegetables containing polyphenols may be even more beneficial.
Research
1. G Avellone, G, Di Garbo, V, Campisi D, De Simone R, Ranel G, Scaglione R and LicataG. Effects of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 41-47. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602265.
2. Ruf JC. Alcohol, wine and platelet function. Biol Res. 2004;37(2):209-15.
3. Vinson, JA, Teufel, K, Wu, N. Red wine, dealcoholized red wine, and especially grape juice, inhibit atherosclerosis in a hamster model. Atherosclerosis. 2001 May; 156(1):67-72.
4. Folts, JD. Potential health benefits from the flavonoids in grape products on vascular disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002; 505:95-111.
Author: Emilia Klapp is a Graduated in Nutrition Science and certified as a Registered Dietitian by the American Dietetic Association. With her new book, “Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet”, Emilia Klapp has helped many people just like you reduce the risk of heart disease, lose weight and enjoy a more abundant life at the same time. For more information about the book and the author login at http://www.Mediterraneanheart.com
Technorati Tags: grape juice, healthy red wine, phytochemicals, Resveratrol
January 16, 2012
Red wine is a rich source of resveratrol, and contains significantly more resveratrol than white wine. This is because the grape skins are left in with the juice for longer when making red wine, and the skins are where most of the resveratrol is found. The resveratrol content varies considerably from one red wine to another, however. So, what are the best red wines for resveratrol content?
By far the highest resveratrol content (around 40mg/liter) is found in both red and white wines made from the thick-skinned Muscadine grape, which is native to Florida and other parts of the south-eastern United States. Muscadine wine is not widely available outside the US, however.
Other red wines typically contain between 2 and 12.5mg of resveratrol per liter. Of the more popular grape varieties, Pinot Noir produces wines with the highest average resveratrol levels. The Pinot Noir grape tends to thrive in temperate, damp climates which also encourage molds and yeasts that attack vines and other plants. In this humid environment, plants produce increased quantities of resveratrol to defend against oxidization damage from fungal growth and other external pressures. Scientists have discovered that resveratrol has similar antioxidant benefits for the human body.
Pinot Noir from its native Burgundy, France, as well as from Oregon, Washington State or New Zealand generally contains more resveratrol than the equivalent wine from a hotter, dryer area such as California or Australia. Levels will also vary significantly from one vintage to another depending on the temperature and rainfall during the growing period. You don’t need to restrict yourself to drinking Pinot Noir, though – other red wines from cool, damp regions of the world are just as likely to offer good levels of resveratrol. The key to picking a red wine that gives you a decent amount of resveratrol is therefore to know a bit of geography.
Stella Rossa is an independent anti-aging researcher and writer for several websites. For more of her work on resveratrol health benefits, visit her informative resveratrol website: http://www.ResveratrolBenefits.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stella_Rossa
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January 9, 2012
The health benefits of red wine have been utilised throughout its history going back approximately 8,000 years. Historians believe that it was first produced in the European and Asian areas – particularly in present day Georgia and Iran. It is made by fermenting different varieties of grapes. There are six main types of red grape varieties that are used to make different types of wines. Of these six types of grape varieties, it is not known which was cultivated first.
Main Types of Grape
- Cabernet Sauvignon is a fairly new type of grape used to make wine that may not have been used for wine production until the 18th century. These types of grapes have gained recent popularity in Australia.
- Chianti – This grape dates back to the 15th century and is Italy’s best known kind of wine.
- Merlot – The merlot grape goes all the way back to the first century and is most commonly cultivated in France.
- Pinot Noir – Another grape that is common to France. Wine made from this grape dates back to the time period of the Roman Empire and was used by Christian monks.
- Sangiovese – This grape is believed to come from Tuscany in the 1700′s. Currently it is successfully grown in California as well.
- Zinfandel – This grape was discovered in the United States in the 1830′s and is currently used for producing wine in California.
According to research in archeology, red wine has been used for medicinal purposes since 3150 B.C. In 450 B.C. Hippocrates, also known as “the father of modern medicine” prescribed red wine to cure a fever, to prevent infection of wounds, as a diuretic and also as a nutritional supplement. Up until the 18th century, wine was supposed to be safer to drink than water.
Through the years, there has been much research done on the Health Benefits Of Red Wine. Most experts agree that when it is consumed in moderation and part of an overall healthy diet, it can have some health benefits. And by the way, in moderation means one five ounce glass for women and two five once glasses for men, per day. If one is watching their calories, it is good to remember that a five ounce glass of wine contains about 120 calories.
Health Benefits of Red Wine
It helps with sleep – while people are usually cautioned about alcohol actually interfering with sleep, red wine which contains a key ingredient called melatonin can help with sleep. This anti-oxidant helps to regulate one’s internal clock and besides helping with sleep, melatonin can also help to prevent cancer.
It is good for the heart – consuming moderate amounts of red wine can do a number of good things for the heart. Because it contains antioxidants called flavonoids, drinking red wine can raise HDL levels, which is the good cholesterol that everyone wants; it can also lower LDL levels, which is often described as bad cholesterol. Drinking red wine can also act as a blood thinner which can prevent dangerous clotting.
It may reduce the risk of disease – as mentioned, red wine contains antioxidants that are not only good for the heart but for the rest of the body as well. Antioxidants can actually repair cells that have been damaged by free radicals and can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes, macular degeneration and certain types of cancer.
It contains resveratrol – of all the antioxidants, resveratrol is probably the one getting most of the attention. Resveratrol is found in the skin and seeds of grapes and can also help to prevent some types of cancer. But another benefit of this powerful antioxidant is that it can help reverse aging helping one to have increased longevity. Resveratrol may also help to prevent age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Men can benefit from drinking red wine because the resveratrol it contains may also help to prevent prostate cancer. In fact, some experts suggest that men who drink one glass of red wine a day can cut their chances of getting prostate cancer in half.
It can protect you from getting the flu – research shows that by drinking a glass of wine a day, consumers of red wine can reduce their chances of getting influenza by 20 percent. Drinking red wine while you have a cold could also prove to be beneficial.
It helps to calm the mind – For some people it is common that after a hard day, the first thing they do upon coming home is open up a bottle of wine. This is because red wine is a natural tranquilizer and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Nutritional Value
Red wine contains vitamins and minerals – though in small amounts, red wine does contain vitamins and minerals such as:
- Potassium – this mineral and electrolyte helps to regulate the heartbeat, aids in protein and nucleic acid synthesis, helps produce energy and convert blood sugar into glycogen.
- Fluoride – this mineral can help prevent tooth decay, reduce risk of cavities and keeps tooth enamel strong.
- Phosphorous – this mineral helps convert food into energy. Phosphorous also helps with kidney function, metabolism, cell growth and heart muscle contraction.
- Choline – this vitamin is part of the vitamin B family that helps to maintain overall good health. Choline may also help with memory function and is being used in Alzheimer’s research.
Other benefits – a few more benefits include providing energy, aids in digestion, stimulates the appetite and can help to restore nutritional balance.
For most, drinking red wine can be a good thing. It is good to remember though that drinking more wine than the recommended amounts can have a reversed effect. Also, people with the following conditions or health issues are recommended not to drink red wine: those with high triglyceride levels, those who suffer from migraine headaches, those who are trying to lose weight and women who are pregnant.
Summary
A great way to get a wide variety of minerals and vitamins, the health benefits of red wine stretch from helping with heart disease to potentially reducing cancer but always drink in moderation.
There are many common foods that are beneficial for health. For more on the health benefits of pomegranate or how turmeric benefits your diet visit thehealthbenefitsof.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_K_Andrews
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January 2, 2012
A lot of people have been wondering if it is safe for them to drink wine on a daily basis. If you are one of these people, then you have to know that most doctors say that it is indeed safe to drink wine in moderation – every day. You might find it to be useful in improving your health, but perhaps just as importantly it can help you relax at the end of a hard day. Here are a few of the best red wine benefits:
1. It helps you lose weight. If you drink red wine in moderation on a daily basis, then you can expect to keep your midriff slim. The reason behind this is that alcohol is proven to be a major help in burning more calories quickly. In fact, you can expect to burn up to ninety calories if you drink one glass of it each day. Just make sure that you do not exceed the limit since drinking too much alcohol will very likely cause you to face a lot of serious consequences. Instead of losing weight, too much drinking may only cause you to gain more weight so you have make sure that you drink in moderation.
2. It prevents a number of neurodegenerative diseases. These conditions can be prevented because of the high level of resveratrol in red wine. It is also capable of helping aging people avoid getting Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It has also been proven that a glass of red wine a day helps in retaining your good memory. You can expect those people who drink a glass of wine every day to have a clear memory of things even at an old age.
3. It slows down aging. This is considered to be one of the most popular red wine benefits. Its ability to slow down aging can be associated with its high resveratrol content. It is capable of keeping your body elastic for a long time. One of the best wines that are capable of slowing down aging is the Pinot Noir.
4. It is good for your heart. Some substances in red wine are proven to be effective in improving the structure of your heart. These substances include flavonoids and tannins. These are effective in increasing the level of cholesterol in your blood. Red wine also contains antioxidant properties and these help in decreasing bad cholesterol within your body. This aids in preventing heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular diseases.
5. It prevents and cures various gum diseases. A gum disease is one of the most common mouth problems faced by people especially excessive smokers. This is known to be a result of inflamed muscles in your gums and weakened teeth. If you have this problem, then you should consider taking a glass of red wine regularly as the polyphenols in it work in reducing free radicals that cause the growth of bacteria and infection inside your mouth.
Mentioned above are just five of the many red wine benefits. Considering the ability of red wine to improve your general health, you should try drinking one glass of it every day. Just make sure that you stick to your limit to avoid undesirable complications.
Samuel Coelho invites you to enjoy the fine Oregon Wines created at his family’s Willamette Valley vineyard, and to discover their sustainably grown and award winning wines. Benefit by joining the Coelho Wine Club and receiving premium limited quantity wines, library releases, current releases, and futures. Coelho Wines are allocated to club members before anyone else. Reserve your Wine Club Membership today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_Coelho
Technorati Tags: benefits of drinking red wine, best red wine, good red wine, healthy red wine, red wine benefits
December 7, 2011
What are the red wine heart health benefits you can get from drinking this delicious beverage derived from European grapes? Moderate consumption of red wine has long been acknowledged as helping cut the risk of heart disease, since the fermented beverage is a rich source of flavonoids (polyphenol antioxidants) which are found in the skin and seeds of red grapes. flavonoids can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in three ways:
Lowering the amount of LDL (low density lipoprotein) in your blood. LDLs can form harmful plaques in your arteries which could result in the development of diseases such as hypertension as well as increasing the risk of strokes.
Increasing the amount of HDL (high density lipoprotein). HDLs can help lower cholesterol in your blood by bringing excess cholesterol to the liver for removal from your body.
Reducing blood clotting. Blood clots can increase the risks of a heart attack by hindering the free flow of blood around your body.
In addition, red wine also contains the antioxidant resveratrol, which research has shown to help inhibit the development of some cancer tumors as well as aiding in nerve cell formation, which may make it useful in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Red wine has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing breast, prostrate and prostate cancers.
How much wine should you drink to avail yourself of red wine’s heart health benefits? Doctors have recommended moderate intake of wine, specifically one to two servings a day for men and one serving for women (one serving is equal to a four ounce glass) if you currently drink. However, exceeding these recommendations may cause increased health risks. For example, those who drank three or more glasses of wine a day saw increased amounts of fat in their bloodstream. Women who drank two glasses of red wine a day actually saw their risks of developing breast cancer growing. Long-term excessive drinking can also result in conditions such as liver and neurological damage as well as malnutrition, since alcohol becomes a substitute for eating nutritious foods. People who are on a diet should also restrict their red wine consumption since it is a high-calorie beverage; one glass can contain as much as 120 calories.
It is not recommended that you start to drink if you are a non-drinker in order to avail of these health benefits. If you currently have a health problem that can be worsened by alcohol, such as cardiovascular disease, you should avoid drinking completely since you can get many of the same benefits by eating greater amounts of fish, grapes, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
What are the best red wines to drink to reduce your risk of developing heart disease? The red wines that were found to have the highest flavonoid levels include Pinot Noir, Petit Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. One general guideline for picking wines for red wine heart health benefits is to choose dryer red wines since they are richer in flavonoids than sweeter wines.
Samuel Coelho invites you to enjoy the fine Oregon Wines created at his family’s Willamette Valley vineyard, and to discover their sustainably grown and award winning wines. Benefit by joining the Coelho Wine Club and receiving premium limited quantity wines, library releases, current releases, and futures. Coelho Wines are allocated to club members before anyone else. Reserve your Wine Club Membership today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_Coelho
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