A Good Reason To Wine

      So now that you have decided to make healthier choices, what do you do about alcohol? Is there any healthy alcohol option? Does alcohol have a place in a healthy lifestyle? The answer is yes-in moderation.

     If you are looking to switch your choice of potent potable to a healthier option, try red wine. The health benefits of red wine have been reported for nearly 2 centuries. The main ingredient responsible for all the hype is called Resveratrol and it is derived from the grapes from which the wine is made. It is present in white wine as well, but to a lesser degree. This is because it comes from the skin of the grape and in white wine the skin is removed prior to fermentation. So to get the most bang for your buck stick to the reds.

      Resveratrol has been shown in studies to prevent cancer, protect the heart and brain from damage, reduce inflammation, reverse diabetes and obesity, increase good cholesterol, and prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other dementias. New research is even suggesting that it may blunt the effects of aging and extend lifespan!

     Now for the fine print: you can only get these health benefits with MODERATE intake of red wine. Which means 2 glasses (of about 5 oz each) for men and 1 glass for women per day.  Intake of more than this will actually have the opposite effect and result in multi organ damage.

     So after a long day at work come home, put your feet up, and enjoy a nice glass of Merlot. Your body deserves it!

   

The above info can be found on mayoclinic.com, MSNBC, and Science Daily.