Reap health benefits from red wine.
Feeling guilty about your love affair with the occasional glass of red wine? You shouldn't! According to a recent article posted on the Yale-New Haven Hospital website, the benefits are real and there's more than one. "For over 10 years, research has indicated that moderate intake of alcohol improves cardiovascular health," the article notes. A 2009 feature in Science Daily tells readers that low to moderate consumption of alcohol increases mortality; however consuming too much leads to organ damage. So what are the benefits of red wine?
Red wine contains antioxidants, specifically flavonoids. Flavonoids deliver a three-pronged punch, limiting your chances of developing coronary heart disease. Flavonoids lower the bad cholesterol in the blood and limits plaque build-up in the arteries. This build-up leads to serious heart problems. Modest, consistent consumption of red wine combats dangerous plaque buildup.
Red wine also boosts the good cholesterol known as HDL. The American Heart Association says, "…high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack." Good cholesterol pushes plaque out of the body towards the liver and away from the arteries.
Another benefit found in red wine flavonoids is a reduction in heart inflammation and blood clotting.
Along with science's take, many people like a daily glass of wine because it lends them a relaxing effect that helps them rest. Sharing a glass of wine with someone you love makes a nice romantic gesture, too.
While some people prefer white wines, studies show that the seeds and skins of red grapes offer wine-drinkers better heart benefits. For women, one glass of wine a day at dinner helps the heart. Men may drink one to two glasses during dinner and enjoy heart benefits.
Try red wines varieties like Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Never drink and drive and limit your alcohol intake to the prescribed amounts to avoid reversing those heart healthy benefits.
