Heart disease is a scary thing. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the research and stay privy to any preventative measures that can be taken. The good news is that in addition to a healthy diet, exercise and sleep regimen, the Mayo Clinic lists the mediterranean diet, omega-3 in fish and red wine as possible factors that can help prevent heart disease.
Many adults worldwide love to have a glass of wine in the evening, so the news that it could be great for your health is well-received. Relaxation and health benefits? It sounds like a winning combination.
Why is red wine good for you?
The skin and seeds of red grapes contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in three ways:
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by increasing high density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol
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by reducing low density lipoprotein, the bad cholesterol
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by lowering the chances of blood clotting
Furthermore, studies have shown that drinking red wine may have the ability to discourage tumor development in certain types of cancers. It has also been positively linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s treatment.
Drinking non-alcoholic wine or grape juice can give you some of the same antioxidative benefits of red wine, but the non-alcoholic version has not been found to have the same impact on bad cholesterol.
How much red wine should you drink?
There’s no denying the benefits of red wine to your health, but health professionals want to be careful about the message they send on this matter. Too much of anything is never a good thing, and alcohol consumption is certainly no different. Heavy drinkers are at risk of malnutrition, damage to nerve cells and organs, and have higher mortality rates. So it’s important not to overdo it. If you don’t drink at all, we wouldn’t recommend that you start now, but studies show that for men, 4-8 ounces of wine per day can be beneficial. Women should limit themselves a little more – the recommended daily amount is about 4 ounces.
As with any preventative measure or health trend, the recommendations will vary based on your personal health history, medications you are taking, activity level and other factors. Before you start drinking red wine for your health, it can’t hurt to speak with a professional. We will be happy to discuss your specific medications, health history and the ways red wine can play a part in your health and your future. Call [phone_main] if you have questions.