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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Go Mediterranean with wine, red wine my fav, that is! While wine is not a food, it does come from grapes (a healthy food) and wine in moderation has been touted as having health benefits for us! Many of us have heard about the heart health benefits of moderate alcohol intake, and while one glass of wine can relieve a little stress, red wine in particular does have health properties. The people of the Mediterranean definitely include moderate amounts of wine in their daily diet, and they not only appear to live longer on the average, but they live with less chronic disease that plaque us. But before we discuss wine, let’s discuss a little bit about the grapes that wine is made from!
Red grapes contain powerful antioxidants, and red wines contain these phytochemicals are known as flavonoids. They get their deep red and purple color from the flavonoids known as procyanidin pigments found in the red grape and they also contain the powerful flavonoid Resveratrol, found in the grape’s skin and seeds. Another antioxidant called Ellagic Acid found in the grape is thought to scavenge the carcinogens in our body, while Resveratrol according to the latest research reported by the American Institute for Cancer Research, may be able to prevent, reverse or slow down cell genetic mutations responsible for cancer. In fact a new term coined only a few years ago “Nutrigenomics” explores the relationship between food and our genes and disease! Some studies have shown that these flavonoids to have powerful antioxidant effects, scavenging cancer cells. They also may exert anti-clotting factors, helpful in the prevention of heart disease and stroke. Grapes themselves also contain Vitamin C and potassium, and they have a high water content (this makes them juicy), which makes them an excellent snack for quick energy.
Getting back to wine, red wine that is, according to one systematic review of research “After nearly 20 years, several studies have investigated the fascinating, overwhelmingly positive biological and clinical associations of red wine consumption with cardiovascular disease and mortality. Light to moderate intake of red wine produces a kaleidoscope of potentially beneficial effects that target all phases of the atherosclerotic process, from atherogenesis (early plaque development and growth) to vessel occlusion (flow-mediated dilatation, thrombosis). ” “Red wine components, especially alcohol, resveratrol, and other polyphenolic compounds, may decrease oxidative stress, enhance cholesterol efflux from vessel walls (mainly by increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and inhibit lipoproteins oxidation, macrophage cholesterol accumulation, and foam-cell formation”. (1) Okay, in brief, this last statement refers to red wine possibly raising our HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol in our blood), and lowering other factors in our blood that raise our cardiovascular disease risk.
Before you think I’m recommending lots of wine drinking, these phyto’s can be also found in red grapes, red grape juice (unsweetened of course), raisins and a supplement called ” grape seed extract”. So, while I’d like to point out the benefits of red wine consumed with meals (a great healthy Mediterranean meal), let’s remember that any alcoholic beverage has many harmful effects on our health if not consumed moderately. Our review of the research has this to say “Conversely, chronic heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. In conclusion, although mounting evidence strongly supports beneficial cardiovascular effects of moderate red wine consumption (one to two drinks per day; 10-30 g alcohol) in most populations, clinical advice to abstainers to initiate daily alcohol consumption has not yet been substantiated in the literature and must be considered with caution on an individual basis.” (1)
So, if moderation is our goal, here are a few tips
Ask the wine steward to only refill the glass when it is empty. This helps us to keep track of how much we are drinking.
Focus on the color, scent and taste of the wine. Getting pleasure from how wine can please our other senses can help us drink less.
Sip water in-between.
Don’t drink before or during without eating at least an ounce of cheese or an appetizer.
Using smaller glasses when at home may help too!
Check out the Mediterranean Food Alliance for more info and go to www.oldwayspt.org/recipesresources/recipes to find lots of Mediterranean recipes and follow me Junefit every Sunday on Twitter for a new tool taken my book featuring “A Salad a Day” (www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Diet-Creative-Eating/dp/1432743597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259605985&sr=1-1) to make my Black Bean, Corn, Tomato Salsa recipe!
Here’s to a great glass of red!
June M Lay M.S.
www.junefit.com
Source:
1. Lippi G, Franchini M, Favaloro EJ, Targher G., Moderate red wine consumption and cardiovascular disease risk: beyond the “French paradox”.2010 Feb;36(1):59-70. Epub 2010 Apr 13. Retrieved from pubmed.
Check out this week’s “Go Mediterranean” recipe for my Marinara Sauce at http://www.junefit.com/tips_recipehp.htm posted Wed. 20th. Here is also a recipe from the American Institute for Cancer Research for “Baked Greek Tomatoes” at http://www.aicr.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=1121&abbr=dc_rc_&page=NewsArticle&id=7368
Junefit is included in Google’s top ranked women’s health resources http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Women’s_Health/Resources/
June is Lifestyle Columnist at JuneLay
c) 2011 junefit.com all rights reserved.
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