In the mood for love? Grab yourself a glass and get to know the reasons your heart can benefit from your love of red wine!
BY: KIM DENKHAUS, MS, RD
Have you heard drinking a glass of red wine every day is good for you?
Polyphenols, such as resveratrol, found in red wine have recently become a hot topic of interest in the realm of food science. Polyphenols have proven to be beneficial to human health, particularly due to the its antioxidant ability and its capacity to be a free radical scavenger.
So what makes red wine so beneficial to our health?
In a recent study, the effects of polyphenols and alcohol present in red wine was studied for its impact on glucose metabolism and lipid profiles. Researchers concluded that red wine, containing high amount of polyphenols and ethanol, as well as grape juice without alcohol, enhanced metabolism of glucose.
Studies also show that people who consume daily moderate amounts of wine may experience meaningful reductions in cardiovascular disease when compared to those who were abstinent or consumed excessive quantities of alcohol.
Epidemiological studies from several countries have compared dietary patterns as they relate to frequency of disease. Drinking a moderate amount of red wine daily, as observed in France, exhibits a protective effect from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. That is why journalists have dubbed the phenomenon “The French Paradox.”
With increases in “good” HDL cholesterol, and reduced production of “bad” LDL cholesterol, it appears that better heart health may be strongly correlated with moderate alcohol consumption.
But let’s not get carried away with the drinking!
Yes, it’s true that wine consumption in moderation, particularly red wine may reduce the risk of heart disease and enhance glucose metabolism. But like all things, moderation is key!
The current recommendation for females is 1 drink per day, and up to 2 drinks per day for males (1 drink is considered a 5 oz glass of wine, roughly 125 calories).
However, keep in mind that most restaurants don’t serve a 5 oz glass of wine, a typical pour can be anywhere from 8 oz to 12 oz, and these extra calories from sugar can start adding up quickly! Try a wine spritzer (wine and sparkling water), or try to cut down to one 5 oz serving a day.
Enjoy responsibly!
Adapted from the original article.
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Kim Denkhaus, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her private practice based in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In a modern-day society focused on convenience and fast-paced lifestyles, Kim is on a mission to help people reconnect with food in a sustainable, healthier way that will help them appreciate where their food comes from and empower them to use use whole foods to fuel and nourish their bodies.