Why French People Drink Red Wine
Why French People Drink Red Wine
Forget the apple. The French Paradox says that a glass of red wine a day will keep the doctor away. This so-called proclamation has caused quite a commotion then in our health and wine industries. The wine industry has extensively been promoting the red wine for numerous health benefits it is said to give and the medical community has also been trying to validate if this is indeed true.
The French Paradox says that a glass of red wine, consumed on a regular basis, may decrease coronary heart disease (CHD). It was conceived because people began to take notice of the stunning low number of heart disease fatalities among Frenchmen. Compared to the Americans, Frenchmen consume a significantly higher amount of butter, cheese and other saturated fatty foods. Just try eating a Parisian croissant and you’ll notice the overwhelming buttery taste in it.
So what’s inside the red wine that’s responsible for reducing heart disease fatalities? Studies show that resveratol, a nonflavonoid antioxidant might be the key ingredient. It is said to prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces bad cholesterol and prevent blood clots. Some research shows that resveratol could also be linked to a reduced risk of inflammation.
Testing done on mice show that this particular antioxidant protects the mice from obesity and diabetes. Both of which are strong factors for heart disease. However, these findings are reported only in mice, not people. To get the exact same dose of resveratol on humans, one should consume 100 to 1000 bottles of red wine in 1 day.
Resveratol in red wine comes from the skin of grapes used to make wine. Because red wine is fermented longer than white wine, red wine contains more resveratol. Simply eating grapes, or drinking grape juice is suggested as one way to get reservatol into your system without drinking alcohol.
Aside from reducing cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases, a daily glass or two of red wine can reap other potential health benefits. Different studies show red wine can possibly diminish ulcers, protect you against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, helps ward off the common cold, reduce the risks of stroke, and helps build stronger bones.
Although, red wine’s potential health benefits look promising, one must remember to drink MODERATELY. Doctors do not recommend that you start consuming alcohol just to prevent heart disease. Remember that alcohol is addictive and is linked to other health issues. Drinking too much does increase your risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, obesity, cancer and others.
If you already drink red wine, do so with moderate amounts. Moderate drinking is defined as an average of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Remember a drink is defined as 5 ounces or 148 mL of wine, not the whole bottle. The overall key to reaping red wine benefits is to avoid excessive indulgence and abuse.