FIVE healthy supplements to add to your daily diet in ONE glass:
It’s National antioxidant, phenol, silicon, resveratrol, procyanidin Day
1. “Attacks” FREE RADICALS.
A study done by the University of Barcelona scientists found that the phenols in white wine had equal, if not higher antioxidants, than those in red wine.
(Depending on the study it seems that red and white are prrrrretty good . . . read on!)
2. BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.
Drinking a glass of wine daily can give your immune system a boost. Moderate alcohol consumption can ward off infections and keep your immune system in check.
However, excessive consumption can lead to negative effects that defeat the whole purpose or drinking wine for an immunity boost.
3. INCREASES BONE DENSITY.
As we get older, our bones get more brittle. You could increase your calcium intake by drinking milk, or you can sip a glass of wine.
Red wine has high levels of silicon, which is great for your bone mineral density. It increases the density and reduces the chance of osteoporosis.
4. REDUCES THE RISK OF STROKE.
Who knew? Moderate consumption of wine – and alcohol in general – can prevent blood clotting. Wine acts as a natural blood thinner. This lower risk of blood clotting is more beneficial to females than males.
Red wine, in particular, contains phenols that act as a blood thinner in a similar regard to aspirin. A study done by John Hopkins University Medical Center found that resveratrol found in red grape skins could protect against stroke when the grapes were turned into wine.”
Light to moderate consumption may be good in preventing a stroke, but heavy drinkers are more likely to have the opposite effect, resulting in a higher risk of heart attacks, not a lower risk.
Grape Friends by Peggy
5. REDUCES THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE.
The tannins found in red wine contain procyanidins – phenols which neutralize free radicals – that have shown to be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease.
“According to WebMD, a study by researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa tested the effects of red wine on the health of blood vessels. What they found after 21 consecutive days of consumption was that blood vessel cell health was enhanced, improving the flow of blood. This increases the health of the heart, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
The American Heart Association does not support drinking for non-drinkers or those at risk of alcoholism – those who already are light drinkers may continue for positive heart health.
6. CAN LOWER CHOLESTEROL.
The procyanidins in red wine that promote a healthy heart also promote lower cholesterol.
Reservatrol also decreases LDL – bad cholesterol – while increasing the HDL – good cholesterol. This also means that red wine benefits blood pressure.
7. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES.
If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, wine may help. Insulin resistance contributes to type 2 diabetes risk, resveratrol has been proven to improve sensibility to insulin.
8. REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER.
The risk of some cancers can be reduced by drinking a glass of wine. The antioxidants combat nasty free radicals that allow cancer to thrive. Red wine especially is beneficial, as the resveratrol that fights against heart disease also fights against cancerous cells.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that:
“Men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week are only 52 percent as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as those who do not drink red wine. In addition, red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive cancers.”
If you’re looking for a red wine high in resveratrol, opt for a glass of cabernet sauvignon.
9. IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION.
Drinking a single glass has shown to improve brain function. The chemicals in red wine prevent the brain’s neurons from dying off. As a result, it may protect the brain from dementia while slowing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
10. PROMOTES LONGEVITY.
“Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that resveratrol, inside that glass of wine, activates a protein that acts as an anti-aging agent. The interaction increases overall health, thus promoting longevity.”
First comment said “white”, but the remainder of the top ten list suggest “red’ 7 to 1, with 2 seemingly favoring “any”. So, a glass of white, a glass of red, and a glass of any would seem appropriate for any but those with a substance dependency issue?
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Rick,
Thanks for the catch – I did a mini editing clarification. You’re WRITE on. The first study in Spain was focusing on whether white or red were indeed better. I suspect that it depends on the region where the grapes are grown since most studies indicate red is better?????
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I’ll drink to that! Cheers!
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Linda T.
Bottoms up! (referring to the wine of course and not your anatomy)
jw.
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I have heard this about wine before but never knew whether it was true or not. A much nicer way to take medication:) A glass of wine a day. Do you know the actual research behind?
Would be great if it was true.😊 .
Thank you for such a fun and informative article
miriam
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Miriam,
We try to include all the research info in all the posts but sometimes I forget to put up the links. In this case, most of the research was done by major institutes like Harvard and posted on WebMD. The biggest caveat I’ve found in the wine research is some that point to a link between alcohol and breast cancer. It’s probably best if there’s a history of cancer to check with an oncologist. All in all, it’s probably best to eat the actual grape and then you get roughage too!
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I read over and over how good red wine is for us, but I just don’t like the taste of it, or of any alcohol. I do eat red grapes but not every day. All that good stuff in a glass of wine but I just won’t. If only I could say the same for brownies, cookies, ice cream…..
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Shari,
I don’t care for the taste of wine – probably because it gives me headaches. Now for brownies, cookies and ice-cream . . . it’s got dairy, nuts and dark chocolate REALLY good for you.
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Wow who knew???!?! Increases bone density! Promotes longevity!…. fascinating. I guess the French are healthier than Americans due to their daily glass of red wine!
Great post. Thanks for the education and now I am going to pour myself a glass! Cheers
Peta
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Peta,
So good to hear from you as I’ve not received any of your great blog posts and began to be concerned.
Who knew? I sure didn’t. As for the longevity I think wine just might be the solution to not focusing, caring or remember the body aches that come from living long and “hard”.
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