At one time or another we have all uttered those words -To Your Health- as we raised our glasses in a salute to a special person. It is a well known fact that drinking wine, both red and white varieties, in moderation will be beneficial to your health especially when you are dealing with the heart.
Many have asked -What effect does wine have on me-. To answer that question we must first look into the composition of the wine itself. Research has proven that red wine have a high amount of flavonoids and that these flavoniods will benefit a person?s health. These flavonoids are rich in antioxidants and when combined with the body form a front against both viruses and carcinogens. The end result is that your body is better able to fight off certain cancers and help prevent heart disease.
But here is the caveat, like most things the drinking of wine should be done in moderation. In the 16th Century a Swiss physician was quoted as having wrote “Wine is a food, a medicine and a poison – it is just a question of dose”. If too much is consumed then the benefit of the flavonoids will have the opposite effect on your health. There are certain types of red wine that have a higher amount of both flavonoids and antioxidants. Among these wine are Cabernet Sauvignon, pinot Noir and Petit Syrah.
For a man consuming one or two four ounce glasses of wine per day will provide you with these health benefits. For a woman it is a little different. The people in the health arena suggest that only one four ounce glass per day is the limit. Any more is both of these cases and the benefits will be lost.
One of the lowest rates for heart disease is found in the French people. They have been making and drinking wine throughout history so there has to be something said to the fact that red wine has health benefits. Wine from the French wine regions are shown to be very tannic and have superior levels of procyandin (an Antioxidant) than other wine areas around the world.
Not all wines are high in these flavonoids. Wines that are dry such as Zinfandels and Merlots are lower in these flavoniods. Having said that, they are still higher than white wines. But, do not let that stop you from enjoying them as they will provide you with health benefits providing you drink them in moderation.
There are many health benefits of wine which can not be forgotten. Of course the primary benefits of wine include the absolute joy of sitting around with good friends and a great glass or two of wine.
