Wine Guys Store

6 Comments so far ↓

• Amuse Bouche // Sep 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

  A number of recent studies have shown that antioxidants like procyanidins found in red wine can reduce the risk of heart disease. Polyphenols like resveratrol also have been touted as protective against heart disease and cancer. The studies use a variety of red wines, so in theory this should apply to all red wines, rather than any specific variety.

  However, one should keep a few things in mind:

  1) If a person doesn’t already enjoy a social drink now and then, they shouldn’t start drinking just for the supposed health benefits. The benefits are probably overstated.
  2) Studies with reveratrol used mice. In order for a human being to ingest an amount of resveratrol equivalent to the dose the mice got in the trials, that person would have to drink an insane volume of wine.
  3) Benefits from the antioxidants are counteracted by the adverse effects of alcohol on the liver, cholesterol profile, and blood pressure. So, there is a point at which, depending on the amount and frequency of drinking, more harm than good is done.
  4) The safe limit for healthy, social drinking for an adult male is 10-14 standard glasses of wine (5 oz each) per week. For females, it’s 7-10.

  Finally, I believe that the health benfit of wine goes beyond just the chemical protective qualities of the antioxidants in the wine. It has to do with the overall well being that is promoted by enjoying a relaxing meal and a bottle of wine with friends and loved ones.

  Cheers!

  Addendum:
  Contrary to Murduk042…’s answer below:
  1) Alcohol does not improve liver function. While it may upregulate liver enzymes, alcohol increases deposition of fatty tissue in the liver, resulting in "fatty liver" or steatohepatitis. It can also contribute to development of cirrhosis if in excess.
  2) ALCOHOL IN ANY AMOUNT CONSUMED DURING PREGNANCY IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE FETUS, AS IT CAN CAUSE FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME. This syndrome includes features such as facial malformations, mental retardation, and attention deficit with hyperactivity. DO NOT CONSUME ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE WHILE PREGNANT!

• kevin r // Sep 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

  Red wine 2 6oz glasses a day are are good for the heart.

• Pen // Sep 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

  Red wine 2 drinks a day.

• TRISH S // Sep 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

  red wines and think 3 oz once a day, ask your doc for better info if he is anti alcohol get info on web, moderation of red wine is heart smart

• murduk0420 // Sep 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

  In this case any kind of wine is good, red, white, apple whatever. To be healthy drink two glasses per day. It is good for the heart and the liver(making the liver work a little each day makes it stronger) It also helps boost your immune system. It is also a good method and healthy when pregnant (helps to relax the baby)

• mentzel63 // Sep 13, 2011 at 12:17 pm

  my doctor suggested one small glass of red wine/day