Benefits of Red Wine
Recent studies have shown that drinking low levels of red wine on a consistent basis seem to be related to numerous health benefits. This may mean drinking one or two glasses of wine a day with a meal. Although most of us have only taken notice of the benefits of red wine in recent years, research has pointed to these benefits for hundreds of years.
The benefits of red wine are believed to be due to the high level of antixodants present in red wine (which is significantly higher than white wine) as well as naturally occurring chemicals which are derived from the skin of the grapes. Moderate red wine consumption is believed to be beneficial in a number of ways which including:
- Protecting against heart disease
- Protecting against certain cancers
- Protecting against stroke
- Increasing ‘good’ cholesterol
- Lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol
- Lowering blood pressure
- Helping to prevent blood clots
- Helping to prevent gum disease
Naturally these benefits are believed to be obtained from moderate consumption as excessive drinking and binge drinking can have serious negative health effects. Although many people believe that drinking wine is good for the health there is no proof that this is the case. The risks of long term consumption of alcohol include:
- Increased risk of liver disease
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Weight gain
Other problems associated with alcohol consumption include:
- Accidents on the road, at work, and in the home
- Domestic violence
- Crime
Some countries, such as France, have a diet which is high in saturated fats but have a low incidence of heart disease. This has been attributed to red wine consumption however it should also be noted that the French typically eat more fruit and vegetables than Australians which are high in antioxidants. France also has one of the highest levels of liver disease in Europe so drinking red wine is not necessarily the solution to our health problems.
In summary, it is not wise to take up drinking red wine just for the possible health benefits. However, if you already drink alcohol such as beer or white wine then it may be beneficial to switch to drinking red wine.
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