7 Health Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

As Benjamin Franklin said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there are bacteria."

Many folks who find themselves for one reason or another firmly ensconced in the "No booze for Me" camp may also be surprised to find that potentially intoxicating liquids like wines and even more so distilled spirits do have their benefits as well. That being said, moderation is the operative word when it comes to consuming adult beverages.

It’s not that imbibing is bad per se, but we can run afoul of any benefit when getting too close to the edge of overindulgence. I know this may sound like way too much common sense, but as we all know common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's garden.

The way some folks behave after having more than their fair-share has undoubtedly contributed to many of the negative stereotypes which have been associated with consuming wine or spirits. As some ne'er-do-well's in a knee-jerk response, believe abuse automatically means non-use and have sought to ban it outright. Remember that was tried once, it was called Prohibition, and we all know how that worked out.

But on the flip side of the equation, studies have shown that the moderate consumption of wines and or spirits is actually good for our health. Especially when compared to outright abstainers. To most folks who drink wine, for example, moderation means a shared bottle with your meal, three or four times a week.

That said, abstainers and imbibers alike please take note. Because below I've outlined some succinct points about the health benefits of drinking wine which you may find compelling, despite a current study which suggests the alternative may possibly be true.

Byline: The following points one through seven is part of an article written by guest contributor Shannon Wills, who writes on the topic of Physical Therapist Assistant Schools She welcomes your comments below or at her email id: shannonwills23@gmail.com.

1· Good for the heart: Alcohol acts as a natural blood thinner and enables the free flow of blood through the arteries, thus reducing the work that your heart has to do to pump blood to all parts of your body. So when you have one glass of wine three or four times a week, your risk of heart disease is significantly lower and you are less susceptible to strokes that occur because of blood clots or blocked arteries. A study conducted at the Yale School of Medicine proved a connection between drinking red wine [sorry white wine fans] and improvements in cardiovascular health, because of its polyphenol [high in antioxidants] content.

2· Slows aging process: Grapes are rich in an anti-aging wonder chemical known as resveratrol prevents damage to and repairs cells and blood vessels. It also brings down the level of bad cholesterol and reduces the risk of blood clots. Red wine is an excellent source of resveratrol, so if you’re in the mood for a drink, make it a glass of red rather than anything else.

3. Resveratrol: You may be wondering what wines have the highest resveratrol content? Again sorry white wine fans but between white wine and red wine, the red variety has more resveratrol than white wines like the ever-popular Chardonnay. The reason being is that red wine is fermented longer and stays in contact with skins helping to produce those red colors you see. White wine on the other hand; has about a tenth of resveratrol content compared to red wine. Some even believe, and facts even suggest that the only reliable non-supplement source of resveratrol right now is red wine.

4. Rich in antioxidants: If there’s one chemical that everyone is going gaga about, it’s antioxidants – they’re being praised to the skies for their ability to prevent cancer and boost your immune system. Red wine is rich in antioxidants, and if you have one glass five times a week, you could significantly increase your life span and live a long and healthy life. Just look at the French who consume more wine per capita than Americans tend to live a little longer, what they call The French Paradox (though the fact that they drink wine moderately and slowly with meals, instead of downing shots at the bar, could make a difference).

5· Boosts lung function: White wine helps lung function, according to a study conducted by the University of Buffalo’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences which determined that people who enjoyed the occasional glass of wine were found to have better lung function than those who did not. Besides this, wine has also been known to be effective in destroying upper respiratory tract bacteria.

6· Prevents tooth decay: Wine has antibacterial properties and has been used for centuries in helping treat infected wounds. Researchers have only just now discovered that wine is capable of killing various strains of oral bacteria that are responsible for tooth decay and even a sore throat. But you want to be careful about [red] wines staining potential, you could earn a new nickname "purple-teeth" if you're not careful to drink with a bit of moderation.

7· Guards against diabetes: Drinking wine, in moderation, has been shown to help boost the function of the pancreas and reduces the level of glucose in your blood. This prevents you from being at risk for diabetes during any stage of your life.

Here's the part of the article where I resume writing, and big thanks to Shannon for the awesome research.

Now, after reading this and being reassured of drinking red wines is a part of a healthy lifestyle, you may possibly be wondering which red-wine has the largest source of Resveratrol or which grape delivers the biggest bang for the buck? Well, it just so happens to be the most delicate of red-wines grapes, one which has the most potent form resveratrol, the winner is Pinot Noir. So yes, in fact, it has been shown that Pinot Noir has more resveratrol than other red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Cabernet Franc.

Since Pinot Noir grapes are naturally more delicate, prone to rot, and are generally considered harder to grow. Some speculate that the reason these grapes are so much more beneficial is that need to produce more resveratrol to protect themselves from natural pathogens or what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Also, Pinot Noir is a more significant source of resveratrol, Pinot Noir grapes grown in regions that are both cool and moist will produce an even higher resveratrol count than anywhere else. For more information on the Health Benefits of wine º Antioxidants, resveratrol, and living healthier, please click on the link provided above.

While the benefits of wine and wine consumption are not meant to be an incentive for teetotalers to start uncorking bottles of wine. But it should be regarded by casual drinkers as a lesson in health - five glasses [3-4oz] a week is the optimum level, and if you go beyond that, then the negatives tend to far outweigh the positives which wine has to offer. Here's a toast to your good health, cheers!