| Health professionals have recognized the | | | | health. The cardio protective effect has been |
| nutritive and the health benefits of wine for | | | | attributed to antioxidants present in the |
| years even centuries. Hippocrates recommended | | | | skin and seeds of red grapes. Scientists |
| specific wines to purge fever, disinfect | | | | believe that the antioxidants, called |
| wounds, as diuretics, or nutritional | | | | flavonoids, reduce the risk of coronary heart |
| supplements, around 450 B.C. Many books have | | | | disease. Other researches have found that |
| been written about the curative properties of | | | | moderate red wine may also inhibit tumor |
| wine as early as 1410 A.D. Many studies | | | | development in some cancers and may as well |
| worldwide have concluded that most healthy | | | | be helpful in the treatment of diseases like |
| people who drink wine on a regular basis and | | | | Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. At the |
| with moderation live longer. | | | | University of California, reasearchers have |
| | | | determined that Cabernet Sauvignon has the |
| Wine, for centuries, has been considered as a | | | | highest concentration of flavonoids. Sweeter |
| remedy rather than a toxin. In America, for a | | | | the wine, the fewer flavonoids. |
| whole generation, mainly following the | | | | |
| Prohibition years, the potential health | | | | Dryer red wines are the best bet for a |
| benefits of wine were denied. But, in 1991, | | | | flavonoid boost. They have also found out |
| the medicinal properties of wine begin to | | | | that grape juice or non alcoholic red wine |
| return when the French Paradox was publicly | | | | contains the same antioxydant profile as red |
| revealed following a closed scrutiny on the | | | | wine. However, grape juice does not lower LDL |
| diet of people in Southern France. It was | | | | cholesterol the Bad cholesterol) levels |
| found out that they had a much lower rate of | | | | compared to red wine. Flavonoids increase HDL |
| heart disease than in America notwithstanding | | | | cholesterol(the Good cholesterol) and prevent |
| their intake of high proportion of fatty | | | | blood clotting , plaques formation in |
| foods. Since then, over three thousands | | | | arteries and reduce the blood vessel damage |
| studies have broken out all over the World, | | | | caused by fat deposits. It is very important |
| most importantly in America and provided | | | | here to mention that wine consumption should |
| evidence that wine has positive health | | | | be limited to two servings per day for Men |
| effects. | | | | and one serving per day for Women to reap the |
| | | | maximum benefits. Moderate amounts of wine |
| HEALTH BENEFITS OF WINE | | | | should be limited to individuals with a clean |
| | | | bill of health. People with medical and |
| Many medical studies have showed multiple | | | | social conditions worsened by alcohol should |
| benefits of regular moderate wine drinking, | | | | not consume alcohol at all. Since the |
| including lowered risks of stroke, colorectal | | | | evidence seems clear now that red wine is |
| tumors, some types of cancers, senile | | | | beneficial for our health, here is a toast to |
| dementia, and even the common cold. A Harvard | | | | your health! Cheers! |
| research has indicated that moderate intake | | | | |
| of red wine is very beneficial for heart | | | | Gilles Coulombe B.A. B.LL D.S.A. |