It’s All In The Wine

The French are notorious for living longer lives. Researchers for years have grasped to understand this. As continuing scientific research unfolds, it is believed that their love for red wine may be the secret for longevity.

Red wines make the heart healthier for two reasons –
1. They are rich in compounds that help lower cholesterol and prevent low-density lipoprotein (LPL) cholesterol from sticking to artery walls–the process that leads to heart disease.
2. They help keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming dangerous clots.

Wines are effective against shigella, salmonella, and Escherichia coli bacteria. If you’re on a foreign vacation or just get the runs, don’t forget to try some wine!

It is suspected that alcohol has health benefits, taken in moderation of course. But red wine is superior to other drinks. Why is that?

Flavanoids such as “quercetin” are contained in the wine. Another important component is “resveratrol”.

Recently, much attention has been given to resveratrol. This chemical is believed to extend life, although research is still developing. Studies have found that mice induced with this chemical have improved health benefits over ones that didn’t. Some scientists have found that resveratrol slows aging, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age.

But the results overwhelmingly show that resveratrol has tremendous health benefits.

If you want to enjoy the benefits without boozing it up, there are nonalcoholic wines out there with the same ingredients. The darkness in the hue is key to the choosing. Resveratrol is also found in grape juice, especially made from dark Concord grapes.

What about the white wines? While it is believed that red wines are healthier, some researchers believe that white wines are beneficial as well.

And if you’re wondering what to have with your healthy wine or grape juice, nuts would be a very heart-healthy snack. Peanuts, almonds, and walnuts are good choices.

What are the most heart-healthy wines? The top three are cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, and merlot.

À votre santé. Salut!

Sources:
* Selene Yeager: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Latest Findings on the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems – From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers and Yeast Infections
* NIH: Resveratrol Found to Improve Health, But Not Longevity in Aging Mice on Standard Diet
* MayoClinic.com: Grape juice: Same heart benefits as wine?
* CBS 60 Minutes: Fountain Of Youth In A Wine Rx?