Red Red Wine....Salud!

Here is some good news.......recent studies have indicated that there are many health benefits from drinking red wine. The main compound responsible for these benefits is Resveratrol.

Resveratrol is a natural superior antioxidant compound found in an abundance in red grapes (mainly the skins), grape seed extract, red wine, Japanese Knotweed, peanuts and some berries. A new study has also discovered that significant levels of resveratrol can also be found in cocoa powder and dark chocolate.

Amounts of reservatrol in a bottle of red wine can vary depending on the growing season and the types of grapes the wine comes from. However nearly all the darker red wines (especially Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and Shiraz) contain far higher amounts of resveratrol than what white wines or grape juice does.

Many of the benefits appear to aid in healthy cardiovascular system function. In addition, preliminary studies shows resveratrol improves insulin resistance and post-meal blood glucose, especially in older patients with impaired glucose tolerance, but the findings need to be confirmed in larger analyses.

In smokers, Acute smoking significantly impairs vessels' natural ability to relax, or vasodilate. Red wine, with or without alcohol, decreases the harmful effect of smoking on the endothelium - layer of cells that provide a friction-reducing lining in lymph vessels, blood vessels, and the heart.

Regarding blood clots: Red wine produces anticlotting, or antithrombotic, action. Light to moderate consumers of wine have lower levels of protein fibrinogen which promotes blood clot formation.

Red wine intake also reduces the risk of kidney stone formation.

In those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease: Moderate wine drinking correlates with a lower risk for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that resveratrol, a red wine polyphenol, produces neuroprotective effects.

It lowers the total cholesterol count, and raises the high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels

While all types of alcohol have some anti-cholesterol benefits, the star of the show seems to be Cabernet Sauvignon. According to Yale-New Haven Hospital's nutrition advisor, the drier the wine, the better. Cabernet Sauvignon has the highest flavonoid content, with Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir varieties also containing a high concentration of flavonoids.

Both regular and non-alcoholic red wine were found to prevent cavity-causing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) from adhering to tooth enamel. The active ingredient that does this is a flavonoid compound that also naturally occurs in cinnamon, apples, cocoa and tea. And a Canadian study found that red wine polyphenols can help prevent and treat inflammatory gum disease.

I also find a nice glass of red wine at the end of the day to be relaxing and stress reducing. My latest favorite wine is Le Crema Pinot Noir - 2008. Please feel free to post and share your favorites with others. Salud!