Monday, September 17, 2012

Red Wine Has So Many Benefits For Our Health

A glass of red wine a day has been proven to protect the heart, and recent studies even indicate it could help beat cancer.Some of the health benefits of wine seem to be related directly to the alcohol content rather than the available antioxidants. Alcohol provides cardiovascular benefits and might even help activate the function of wine's antioxidants.This does not mean that more wine is better, however. A single glass of red wine with dinner is plenty to provide health benefits. Too much alcohol can have detrimental effects on the body, including liver damage, and alcohol is also very dangerous for a developing fetus. So enjoy that glass of red wine per day, but be sure to always drink responsibly.


Rich in Antioxidants

One of the reasons why red wine is considered good for your health is because of its high content of antioxidants, specifically the antioxidant reservatrol. Reservatrol is present in the seeds and skins of grapes, which are fermented during the manufacturing of red wine. Reservatrol has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease. It’s also a type of phytoestrogen, a chemical that mimics the effect of estrogen in the body. Since most of the symptoms associated with menopause are caused by depleting estrogen, menopausal women may successfully manage their symptoms by receiving plenty of phytoestrogen in their bodies, and drinking red wine regularly is an easy way to do this.

Cancer Prevention

Aside from preventing cancer, reservatrol has been found to be effective in lowering your risk of cancer. It inhibits the formation of malignant tumors, protects the DNA of healthy cells and eliminates existing tumors by cutting off their nutrient supply. Studies conducted in laboratories show that reservatrol also causes cancer cells to undergo self-destruction. So far, this effect has been observed in skin cancer, leukemia and breast cancer.

Drink in Moderation

Even though red wine can bring a number of health benefits to you, it’s still important to keep your intake moderate. Needless to say, excessive drinking can do more harm than good to your health. High blood pressure, liver damage and heart failure risk are some of the health problems you may encounter if you drink too much. Be sure to lead a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and plenty of exercise.

Heart Disease Prevention

The link between red wine and heart protection has been a long-standing one and there is plenty of scientific evidence to support this connection. The reservatrol present in red wine helps thin the blood. When the blood is thin, platelets or blood cells have less chances of clotting together. In the event that blood clots are formed, these clots can become lodged in the veins leading to the heart or brain. As a result, oxygen is blocked and a heart attack or stroke can occur. Reservatrol also lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol, two factors which can lead to the development of heart disease. A moderate consumption of red wine has also been found to reduce the risk of future heart attacks for people who have a history of previous heart attacks.

Promotes Dental Health

If you suffer from dental problems like cavities, then you might also want to incorporate red wine into your diet. This is because red wine contains the compound flavonoid, which is also found in apples, tea and cinnamon. Flavonoid prevents bacteria from sticking to the enamel of your teeth. The polyphenols found in red wine are also effective in reducing inflammation which is associated with gum disease.