| You may enjoy an occasional glass of wine. It is | | | | grape skins and stems. When white wine is made, |
| used on many festive occasions to raise a toast, | | | | the grapes are pressed, and the juice is removed |
| or to enhance a fine meal. But are you aware | | | | and fermented to make the wine. With red wines, |
| that wine can also be beneficial to your health? | | | | the grapes are pressed, and the juice sits for a |
| It's true. Medical studies have shown that an | | | | while with the grape skins and stems still present. |
| occasional glass of wine can be beneficial to your | | | | Because of this, the grape juice has a chance to |
| health. | | | | leach more of the flavanoids and reservatrol from |
| You may or may not have heard about the | | | | the grape skins. So, red wines will have a higher |
| 'French Paradox'. This finding shows that the | | | | concentration of anti-oxidants than white. |
| French have a lower incidence of coronary | | | | The alcohol content present in wine can have |
| disease as we find in the United States, despite | | | | some benefits as well. Moderate consumption of |
| the rich, high fat foods found in French cuisine. | | | | alcohol can raise the level of HDL, or good |
| Many experts attribute this to the regular | | | | cholesterol, and thin out the blood. Keep in mind, |
| consmption of wine in the French diet. | | | | this is moderate consumption of alcohol, not |
| Some medical studies have shown that an | | | | heavy consumption. So this isn't an excuse to go |
| occasional glass of wine can reduce the risk of | | | | out and get drunk. |
| heart disease or stroke. Moderate wine | | | | So, what does this mean for you? |
| consumption can reduce the risk of death by | | | | If you consume a glass or two of red wine a |
| cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. Other | | | | day, it can help to reduce your risk of coronary |
| diseases may also be reduced by moderate wine | | | | disease and cancer, and increase your lifespan. |
| consumption, and may very well increase one's | | | | Keep in mind though, that there are some |
| life expectancy. | | | | instances in which you should not drink wine, or |
| Studies are still being conducted on the health | | | | any other alcoholic beverage. You may have |
| benefits of a glass of wine. Wine contains | | | | certain medical conditions that may be made |
| flavanoids, anti-oxidants that help to prevent | | | | worse by alcohol. Certain medications, as well, |
| free-radicals from damaging cells. One in particular | | | | should not be taken with alcohol. So, while wine |
| helps to prevent hardening of the arteries. Wine | | | | may be beneficial, there are also circumstances in |
| also contains a substance called reservetrol. This | | | | which it can be harmful, so consult your doctor |
| substance has been shown to boost the immune | | | | first. |
| system, block cancer, and protect against | | | | So, if you can have wine, go ahead and pour |
| cardiovascular diseases. | | | | yourself a glass and enjoy. Wine will not only |
| These substances are found in all wine, but there | | | | enhance your meal, but it can also improve your |
| are more in red wine than in white wine. The | | | | health, and help you to live a longer life. Enjoy! |
| reservatrol and flavanoids are present in the | | | | |