We all have raised our wine glasses in a special toast and uttered the words -To Your Health. While we do not throw our wine glasses in the fireplace anymore there is a good deal to be said about the health benefits of wine, both red and white varieties.
Will it give us an increase in longevity? Some very impressive statistics are coming out from Researchers who have found red wines rich in flavonoids are actually good for our health. These flavonoids are known for their antioxidant properties which work with the body to resist viruses and carcinogens among other perks, such as helping your body to resist cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Of course like anything else, moderation should be maintained, you do not have to get “tipsy”, everyday to get the health benefits of wine by the flavonoids in red wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir are the highest concentrations of antioxidants and flavonoids. A 16th Swiss physician wrote, “Wine is a food, a medicine and a poison - it is just a question of dose”.
For a man consuming one or two four ounce glasses of wine per day will provide you with these health benefits. For a woman it is a little different. The people in the health arena suggest that only one four ounce glass per day is the limit. Any more is both of these cases and the benefits will be lost.
The French people have a lower rate of heart disease due to the region that their red wine is produced. The French red wines are very tannic and contain high procyanidin (antioxidant) content of any wines worldwide.
When it comes to flavonoids not all wines are alike. Wine that are white have the lowest concentration of flavonoids, whereas, dry red wines such as Merlot or Zinfandel have a higher levels than white wine, still fall short of the levels present in the other red wines. Still you will get the health benefits from these wine should you keep consumption to the recommended level.
There are plenty of health benefits of wine which should not be overlooked. Of course the primary benefits of wine include the pure pleasure of laying around with good friends and a great glass or two of wine.