Drinking
red wine does not necessarily make a person alcoholic. There are people who
occasionally drink it, and there are also those who regularly take it for one
reason or another.
Several
studies have indicated that moderate consumption of red wine can be good to
human health. The list of benefits includes:
- Nurturing cardiovascular health and liver health
- Fighting atherosclerosis and brain diseases
- Protecting men and women from cancer
- Controlling inflammation and preventing acne
- Hampering the aging process
- Inhibiting hypertension and stroke
- Supporting weight management
- Reducing bad cholesterol and clotting
- Curbing diabetes
- Promoting good eyesight
- Hindering osteoporosis
- Blocking vascular injury in light smokers
- Inducing good sleep
Other research
findings have noted the following positive effects of red wine when drank
moderately:
 |
| Red wine is made from fermented dark-colored grapes. Image Source: Oldiefan from Pixabay |
Many scientific reports discussed the positive effects of
moderately drinking red wine. Such observation was noted among the local
people of France. In spite of eating food with high cholesterol and fats in
their diet, the fondness for red wine by the French has resulted in decreased
mortality rate due to coronary heart disease, hence, the “French paradox” (Gu,
Hu, & Zhang, 2015 and Ferrieres, 2004).
Besides the French, many residents of Spain, Italy and Greece and
other countries near the Mediterranean Sea tend to consume red wine with their
meal. This is called the "Mediterranean Diet" which consists of
fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, as well as the use
of plant-based oils like olive oil (Mayo Clinic, 2016 and National Health
Service [NHS], 2015).
What is Red Wine?
Similar to other wines, red
wine is made from wine grapes, particularly black of dark-colored ones. It is a
type of alcoholic beverage. In the Handbook of Enology Volume 1
The Microbiology of Wine and Vinification (2nd ed., 2006),
Ribéreau-Gayon and colleagues state that:
"Red wine is a macerated wine. The extraction of solids from grape clusters (specifically from skins, seeds and possibly stems) accompanies the alcoholic fermentation of the juice" (p. 327). Puckette (2012) describes red wine taste range as "light to dark and bone-dry to sweet" (The Basic Types of Wine - Five Main Styles of Wine section, para.2).
Types of Red Wine and
Food Pairings
In his online guide to wine, Breton (2015) identifies eight
kinds of red wine with corresponding appropriate foods or
dishes:
· Merlot and Barbera can go with any food
and are recommended for beginners or first-time drinkers of red wine.
Other types of red wine include Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grenache/Garnacha,
Mourvèdre/Mataro, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo (Rioja), Bordeaux, Carménère and Etna
Roso (Gregutt, 2015 and Teeter, 2015).
For more red wine and meal combinations, the following articles
provide useful information:
There are many things to think about when pairing a dish, but in the end, you have to choose which part of the dish you want to emphasize and then match the wine to that element.
Wine pairing made simple with easy wine and food recipes and tips for red wine pairings and white wine pairings.
8 basic types of wine (both red and white), including how they
taste, what they look like in glass, and alternative options that have a
similar taste.
Types of Red Wine and Food Pairings
In his online guide to wine, Breton (2015) identifies eight
kinds of red wine with corresponding appropriate foods or
dishes:
· Merlot and Barbera can go with any food
and are recommended for beginners or first-time drinkers of red wine.
· Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and
Malbec complement the savor of meat.
· Sangiovese is suited to be sipped with
Italian and Meditteranean dishes.
· Pinot Noir meshes well with salmon,
chicken, and lamb, as well as sushi and other Japanese fares.
· Zinfandel can be paired with pizza, pasta
in tomato-sauce, and grilled meat.
Other types of red wine include Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grenache/Garnacha,
Mourvèdre/Mataro, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo (Rioja), Bordeaux, Carménère and Etna
Roso (Gregutt, 2015 and Teeter, 2015).
For more red wine and meal combinations, the following articles
provide useful information:
Good Health Effects of Drinking Red Wine in Moderation
For
several decades, clinical trials have been conducted to determine the effects
of red wine's chemical compounds on human health. These chemical compounds
include polyphenols (like resveratrol), melatonin, and ellargic acids, among
others.
Moderate consumption of red wine is said to offer potential health benefits. Some of these reported positive effects are the following:
Nurturing cardiovascular health and liver health
The most
reported benefit of red wine is related to the heart. Vorvick (2013) stated
that people who drink light to moderate alcohol may have a lower chance of
developing cardiac disease than the rest of the population. It appears that red
wine, compared to other alcoholic drinks, offers more benefits for the heart.
Such benefit is linked with resveratrol.
Based on
the findings of Mayo Clinic (2014), polyphenols protect the heart’s blood
vessels. This capacity is augmented by resveratrol, which acts on blood vessels
and bad cholesterol (i.e. low-density lipoprotein (LDL), as well as inhibits
clotting.
In 2008,
researchers from the Department of Medicine of the University of California San
Diego (UCSD) examined the effect of moderate wine consumption among
participants of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES III) conducted in 1988-1994 in the United States. Out of the study
sample of 7,211 nondrinkers and 945 modest wine drinkers, 14.3% of the former
and 8.6% of the latter were found to be at risk for both coronary heart disease (CHD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD). Findings showed an association between modest
drinking or one glass a day of wine with inhibited formation NAFLD by half, as
well as with cardioprotection.
The UCSD also had a study published by the European Association for the Study of the Liver in 2012. It involved 251 lifetime non-drinkers and 331 modest drinkers. The results indicated that, compared to non-drinkers, modest drinkers with NAFLD reduced their chances of having fibrosis and inflamed liver due to fat buildup, a condition known as NASH or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (Dunn, Sanyal, Brunt, Unalp-Arida, Donohue, McCullough, Schwimmer, 2012).
In addition, study findings published in the Journal of Hepatology in 2015 stated that wine drinkers have a lower risk of having cirrhosis compared to those who consume beer and liquor. However, the researchers advised a "drink-free day" every week to decrease the probability of developing said disease among alcoholics.
Fighting
atherosclerosis and brain diseases
Red
wine’s chemical compounds limit the occurrence of atherosclerosis that causes
blood vessels to lose their elasticity. As Szmitko and Verma (2005) explained,
resveratrol helps in the formation of nitric oxide, an important chemical that
promotes blood vessel wall integrity, lessens inflammatory cells sticking to the
wall, and inhibits platelet formation.
Moreover,
red wine reduces the risk of depression and dementia. Nordqvist (2013) cited
research studies in Spain, involving 2,683 men and 2,822 women aged from 55-80
years old over a seven-year period. The outcome suggested that moderately
drinking red wine (i.e. 2-7 glasses per week) may reduce the risk of depression
and dementia through the action of resveratrol, which keeps the vascular wall
elastic, allowing better blood supply to the brain.
The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (n.d.)
at The Rockefeller University reported several studies that found moderate
drinking of red wine as beneficial to brain health. Red wine could be regarded
as a memory supplement, a nutrient to ward off different forms of dementia. A
research conducted at the Georgetown University Medical Center in 2016
noted how resveratrol seems to protect the brain of patients with Alzheimer's
disease from further inflammation and neuron damage.
Protecting
men and women from cancer
Aside
from its profound effect on the heart and the brain, red wine aids in preventing
certain types of cancer. Referring to the work of researchers in the United
Kingdom, Nordqvist (2013) pointed out that moderate drinking of red wine can
lower the bowel tumor incidence rate by half. He also talked about the outcome
of a research done at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles that found red
wine as a factor in reducing the risk of breast cancer, for it helps lower the
estrogen level and raises the testosterone level in premenopausal women.
Similarly, red wine benefits men. A study published in the Harvard Men's Health Watch revealed that men who take moderate amounts of red wine have a reduced risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer (Nordqvist, 2013). The researchers initially focused on the amount of alcohol consumed and found no correlation to said disease. However, when they later examined various alcoholic drinks, they concluded that red wine can lower the risk of prostate cancer (Nordqvist, 2013).
Besides inhibiting tumor growth in breast and in prostate, resveratrol does the same for the tissues of other body organs, such as the skin, the liver, and the colon. It also averts the development, spread, and progression of cancer cells, as well as induces cell death or apoptosis, based on the papers of the Department of Food Science and Technology's Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods (2013) in Spain and the University of Connecticut's Cardiovascular Research Center (2010) in the United States.
 |
Besides doing regular exercises, getting enough sleep,
staying hydrated, and
embracing positive thoughts, you may boost your health by eating the right kinds of food and moderately drinking red wine.
Image Source: Kelsey
Knight on Unsplash
|
Controlling inflammation and preventing acne
Resveratrol in red wine is not only helpful in preventing
certain types of cancer. It also shows favorable action on the inflammatory
process. As stated earlier, it shields the brain from heightened inflammation.
Such anti-inflammatory property though also affects the blood and the skin of
moderate drinkers.
For instance, Culzac (2014) wrote
about the findings of researchers from the
UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) on the impact of
resveratrol on acne-causing bacteria. The study showed resveratrol's ability to
hinder inflammatory markers activation protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear
factor-kappa B (NF-jB) from producing acne lesions. In addition, resveratrol
inhibited keratinocyte proliferation, which contributes to follicular
obstruction in acne development.
Delaying
the aging process
Citing a study by the Harvard Medical School, Nordqvist
(2014) wrote that the anti-aging compounds in red wine prolong the life span as
seen in mice. Merz (2014) reported that “…resveratrol could help humans live
longer lives, by suppressing molecules which cause inflammation as well as
compounds in the blood which interfere with the production of insulin” (para.
13).
In an interview with Jordan G.
Teicher of Slate, aging research expert Dr. David Sinclair of
Harvard Medical School describes resveratrol as "...far more interesting
and powerful than" functioning as an antioxidant, for it "...turns on
our body's genetic defenses against diseases and aging itself." He
explained that "resveratrol activates a very special enzyme in the body
called SIRT1 that protects us from diseases of aging and controls how fast we
age." He revealed that there are ongoing efforts to produce
"...molecules that are 1000 times more effective than resveratrol at
turning on SIRT1."
In their published paper on Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2015), scientists from the
University of Eastern Finland and the Kuopio University Hospital pointed out
the therapeutic potentials of polyphenol stilbenes in controlling the impact of
oxidative stress on aging cells.
Preventing hypertension and stroke
In "Effect of Resveratrol on
Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials" (2015),
medical experts from China observed that a high dosage or ≥ 150 milligram per
day (mg/d) of resveratrol could lead to reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP).
On the other hand, a low dose had no significant effect on SBP and on diastolic
blood pressure (DBP). The SBP is the optimal energy used by a beating heart in
sending blood throughout the human body, while the DBP pertains to the least
amount of energy it expends as it relaxes (Blood Pressure Association, 2008).
Hypertension can adversely affect
brain health. It is regarded as the top risk factor for stroke. A 2012 clinical
trial on adult rats indicated that resveratrol could protect the brain from
experiencing a second stroke. Said stilbenoid helped protect the cell layer
tissue (i.e. endothelium) of the blood vessels or arteries that supply blood to
the brain or the cerebrovasculature (Clark et al., 2012).
In "7 Things You can Do to Prevent a
Stroke" (2015), the Harvard Women's Health Watch advises
drinkers to "Make red wine your first choice, because it contains
resveratrol, which is thought to protect the heart and brain" (4. Drink -
in moderation section, para 3).
Supporting weight management
Researchers from the College of
Agricultural Studies of Oregon State University observed how the growth of fat
cells in mice was inhibited by ellargic acids found in grapes used in making
red wine. Their findings were published in The Journal of Nutritional
Biochemistry (2014).
Besides ellargic acids, clinical
trials at the Washington State University (WSU)
indicated that resveratrol aided the conversion of white fat into beige fat
(Phillips, 2015). Referred to as "browning", this process burns
calories or energy that affects metabolic rate and may help curb obesity.
However, the scientists clarified that:
"We are using resveratrol...as
a pure compound to be consistent with the study that came out 20 years ago in
the medical journal, The Lancet, showing that resveratrol in wine
has beneficial effects. In reality, it’s the total polyphenolic content that is
more important...We think you can increase your total intake of polyphenol
compounds by directly increasing fruit consumption.” (Philips, 2015, "The
whole package section", paras. 3-4)
Other Benefits of Moderate Red Wine Consumption
· Reducing bad cholesterol and clotting
Szmitko and Verma (2005) also stated
that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol could elevate good cholesterol (i.e.
high density lipoprotein or HDL) by 12 percent. The additional good cholesterol
could offset the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing
fatty plaque formation. When this fatty plaque ruptures due to conditions like
myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease (stroke), the plaque is
exposed and acted upon by resveratrol to prevent clotting (Szmitko & Verma,
2005).
· Curbing
diabetes
In a clinical trial conducted in New
York in 2012, researchers observed that resveratrol enhanced insulin
sensitivity and glucose tolerance. This finding supported the result of an
experiment by medical experts in Hungary in 2011 in which resveratrol "...improved
insulin resistance, decreased blood glucose levels and delayed the appearance
of glucose peaks after a test meal..." (Tomé-Carneiro, Larrosa,
González-Sarrías, Tomás-Barberán, García-Conesa, & Espín, 2013, p. 6072).
·
Promoting good eyesight
Resveratrol is among the many
essential nutrients that support a healthy vision (Parry, 2015). A research
published in Cell Metabolism in 2008 indicated reduced
cataracts and other positive effects of said compound in mice.
A study in 2014 further noted its role
in preventing eye disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration
(AMD) that results in blurry and distorted vision, as well as
diminished perception of color. AMD is said to be the primary cause of vision
loss among people aged 50 years old and above. Health experts at the Washington
University School of Medicine and the University of Dentistry and Medicine of
New Jersey observed that resveratrol helps deter the abnormal growth of blood
vessels that can harm the eye due to aging (Alleyne, 2010).
·
Hindering osteoporosis
Research findings published on
the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2014
noted reveratrol's anti-osteoporosis potential.
Medical experts from Denmark observed the effect of said compound on 66
middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome that contributes to bone loss. They
found that resveratrol could stimulate body cells meant for bone formation, as
well as improve bone mineral density.
·
Blocking vascular injury in
light smokers
Citing a study done by the
University of Saarland in Germany, the Institute for Natural Healing or INH
(2016) reported that phenol in red wine helps keep endothelial cells in
the lining of blood vessels healthy. When a person smokes, his/her bloodstream
gets exposed to toxic chemicals or microparticles causing "...inflammation
that prematurely ages the endothelial cells...". Drinking red wine prior to
smoking spurs the production of nitric oxide that protects endothelial cells.
This short-term benefit, however, is not for heavy smokers or those who puff
one pack of cigarettes or more daily.
Red wine has another chemical which
is also found in the skins of red grapes – melatonin. Storino and Golbin (2009)
claimed that melatonin enhances circadian rhythms, inducing better night sleep.
They explained that:
"Essentially, melatonin makes
us active during the day and sleepy in the dark of night. In our bodies,
melatonin levels peak in the evenings and decrease around dawn. With an extra
glass of wine at night, we enhance our body's melatonin peak, thereby ushering
in a restful night". (para. 2)
Controlling inflammation and preventing acne
Resveratrol in red wine is not only helpful in preventing
certain types of cancer. It also shows favorable action on the inflammatory
process. As stated earlier, it shields the brain from heightened inflammation.
Such anti-inflammatory property though also affects the blood and the skin of
moderate drinkers.
For instance, Culzac (2014) wrote
about the findings of researchers from the
UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) on the impact of
resveratrol on acne-causing bacteria. The study showed resveratrol's ability to
hinder inflammatory markers activation protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear
factor-kappa B (NF-jB) from producing acne lesions. In addition, resveratrol
inhibited keratinocyte proliferation, which contributes to follicular
obstruction in acne development.
Delaying
the aging process
Citing a study by the Harvard Medical School, Nordqvist
(2014) wrote that the anti-aging compounds in red wine prolong the life span as
seen in mice. Merz (2014) reported that “…resveratrol could help humans live
longer lives, by suppressing molecules which cause inflammation as well as
compounds in the blood which interfere with the production of insulin” (para.
13).
In an interview with Jordan G. Teicher of Slate, aging research expert Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School describes resveratrol as "...far more interesting and powerful than" functioning as an antioxidant, for it "...turns on our body's genetic defenses against diseases and aging itself." He explained that "resveratrol activates a very special enzyme in the body called SIRT1 that protects us from diseases of aging and controls how fast we age." He revealed that there are ongoing efforts to produce "...molecules that are 1000 times more effective than resveratrol at turning on SIRT1."
In their published paper on Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2015), scientists from the University of Eastern Finland and the Kuopio University Hospital pointed out the therapeutic potentials of polyphenol stilbenes in controlling the impact of oxidative stress on aging cells.
Preventing hypertension and stroke
In "Effect of Resveratrol on
Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials" (2015),
medical experts from China observed that a high dosage or ≥ 150 milligram per
day (mg/d) of resveratrol could lead to reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP).
On the other hand, a low dose had no significant effect on SBP and on diastolic
blood pressure (DBP). The SBP is the optimal energy used by a beating heart in
sending blood throughout the human body, while the DBP pertains to the least
amount of energy it expends as it relaxes (Blood Pressure Association, 2008).
Hypertension can adversely affect
brain health. It is regarded as the top risk factor for stroke. A 2012 clinical
trial on adult rats indicated that resveratrol could protect the brain from
experiencing a second stroke. Said stilbenoid helped protect the cell layer
tissue (i.e. endothelium) of the blood vessels or arteries that supply blood to
the brain or the cerebrovasculature (Clark et al., 2012).
In "7 Things You can Do to Prevent a
Stroke" (2015), the Harvard Women's Health Watch advises
drinkers to "Make red wine your first choice, because it contains
resveratrol, which is thought to protect the heart and brain" (4. Drink -
in moderation section, para 3).
Supporting weight management
Researchers from the College of
Agricultural Studies of Oregon State University observed how the growth of fat
cells in mice was inhibited by ellargic acids found in grapes used in making
red wine. Their findings were published in The Journal of Nutritional
Biochemistry (2014).
Besides ellargic acids, clinical
trials at the Washington State University (WSU)
indicated that resveratrol aided the conversion of white fat into beige fat
(Phillips, 2015). Referred to as "browning", this process burns
calories or energy that affects metabolic rate and may help curb obesity.
However, the scientists clarified that:
"We are using resveratrol...as
a pure compound to be consistent with the study that came out 20 years ago in
the medical journal, The Lancet, showing that resveratrol in wine
has beneficial effects. In reality, it’s the total polyphenolic content that is
more important...We think you can increase your total intake of polyphenol
compounds by directly increasing fruit consumption.” (Philips, 2015, "The
whole package section", paras. 3-4)
Other Benefits of Moderate Red Wine Consumption
· Reducing bad cholesterol and clotting
Szmitko and Verma (2005) also stated
that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol could elevate good cholesterol (i.e.
high density lipoprotein or HDL) by 12 percent. The additional good cholesterol
could offset the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing
fatty plaque formation. When this fatty plaque ruptures due to conditions like
myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease (stroke), the plaque is
exposed and acted upon by resveratrol to prevent clotting (Szmitko & Verma,
2005).
· Curbing
diabetes
In a clinical trial conducted in New
York in 2012, researchers observed that resveratrol enhanced insulin
sensitivity and glucose tolerance. This finding supported the result of an
experiment by medical experts in Hungary in 2011 in which resveratrol "...improved
insulin resistance, decreased blood glucose levels and delayed the appearance
of glucose peaks after a test meal..." (Tomé-Carneiro, Larrosa,
González-Sarrías, Tomás-Barberán, García-Conesa, & Espín, 2013, p. 6072).
·
Promoting good eyesight
Resveratrol is among the many
essential nutrients that support a healthy vision (Parry, 2015). A research
published in Cell Metabolism in 2008 indicated reduced
cataracts and other positive effects of said compound in mice.
A study in 2014 further noted its role
in preventing eye disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration
(AMD) that results in blurry and distorted vision, as well as
diminished perception of color. AMD is said to be the primary cause of vision
loss among people aged 50 years old and above. Health experts at the Washington
University School of Medicine and the University of Dentistry and Medicine of
New Jersey observed that resveratrol helps deter the abnormal growth of blood
vessels that can harm the eye due to aging (Alleyne, 2010).
·
Hindering osteoporosis
Research findings published on
the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2014
noted reveratrol's anti-osteoporosis potential.
Medical experts from Denmark observed the effect of said compound on 66
middle-aged men with metabolic syndrome that contributes to bone loss. They
found that resveratrol could stimulate body cells meant for bone formation, as
well as improve bone mineral density.
·
Blocking vascular injury in
light smokers
Citing a study done by the
University of Saarland in Germany, the Institute for Natural Healing or INH
(2016) reported that phenol in red wine helps keep endothelial cells in
the lining of blood vessels healthy. When a person smokes, his/her bloodstream
gets exposed to toxic chemicals or microparticles causing "...inflammation
that prematurely ages the endothelial cells...". Drinking red wine prior to
smoking spurs the production of nitric oxide that protects endothelial cells.
This short-term benefit, however, is not for heavy smokers or those who puff
one pack of cigarettes or more daily.
·
Inducing good sleep
Red wine has another chemical which
is also found in the skins of red grapes – melatonin. Storino and Golbin (2009)
claimed that melatonin enhances circadian rhythms, inducing better night sleep.
They explained that:
"Essentially, melatonin makes
us active during the day and sleepy in the dark of night. In our bodies,
melatonin levels peak in the evenings and decrease around dawn. With an extra
glass of wine at night, we enhance our body's melatonin peak, thereby ushering
in a restful night". (para. 2)
What is Moderate Drinking of Red Wine?
Not everyone knows what moderate drinking means. According to Puckette (2014), a standard drink contains 5-6 ounces (~150-180ml) or about 3/4 of a regular cup.
The Mayo Clinic (n.d.) specifies that a drink pertains to any of the following:
· 12 ounces (355 milliliters, or mL) of beer
For some doctors (like Dr. Josh Axe who is featured in this hub's video), average consumption of red wine means "a glass a couple of days a week". Dunn, Xu and Schwimmer (2008) described modesty in consuming alcohol as "up to an average of one drink per day. One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1 ounce of liquor" (Patients and Methods section, para. 2).
Moderately consuming red wine means
1-2 glasses of 4-5 ounces daily or a couple of days a week.
Image Source: Skitterphoto from Pexels
On the
other hand, the 2016 European clinical practice guidelines on cardiovascular
disease prevention define light-to-moderate drinking of alcoholic beverage as
15–30 grams (g) per day of ethanol, which is around 130–250 mL of wine/day
(Markoski, Garavaglia, Oliveira, Olivaes,& Marcadenti, 2016).
Recommendations for moderate drinking of red wine vary for men and women. Godman (2014) states: "... no more than one drink day for women, and no more than two drinks a day for men" (Drink in moderation - or not at all section, para. 8).
Red Wine – A Different
View on Its Impact on Human Health
Notwithstanding red wine’s advantages, there are research findings
that contradict such notions. Dr. Richard Semba and colleagues (2014) conducted
a study in Italy in which 783 elderly men and women (i.e. aged 65 years old and
above) participated from 1998 to 2009. They attempted to investigate if a
diet-induced resveratrol level had a positive impact on inflammation, cancer,
cardiovascular disease, and human longevity. They observed that said
antioxidant does not have any direct effect on such conditions.
Dr. Semba posited that any benefit of red wine, if present, may
come from other compounds and not only from resveratrol (Roberts, 2014). He and
his fellow researchers described their work as pioneering for piloting a study
that examined the effects of diet-based resveratrol to human health through
urine samples (Ellis, 2013).
Furthermore, as explained by WSU Professor Min Du who examined the
effects of resveratrol on excess white fat in mice, red wines only consist of
minimal amounts of phenolic compounds. He pointed out that “Many of the
beneficial polyphenols are insoluble and get filtered out during the wine
production process.” Thus, he advised that instead of drinking red wine,it is
better to eat fruits rich in resveratrol, such as
blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apples (Phillips, 2015).
In spite of the opposing views given by Dr. Semba et al., there is
no clear answer if resveratrol in red wine is truly valuable or not to an
individual. Roberts (2014) opined that more clinical research and experiments
are necessary to establish red wine’s effects on human health.
Red Wine's Probable
Health Merits - A Recap
Published clinical studies about red wine state its seeming
favorable effects on moderate drinkers. Made out of fermented grapes and paired
with different types of food, it is reported to reduce the risk of developing
various diseases (e.g., dementia, hypertension, cancer, NFLD, cirrhosis, AMD,
acne) by improving the health of the following body organs:
·
Brain
Consuming 1-2 glasses of red wine a day may also contribute to:
·
Curbing obesity and diabetes
·
Promotes anti-aging and restful bedtime
Despite these findings, some health experts caution that such
results are inconclusive, for red wine contains a small amount of beneficial
chemical compounds. Thus, further medical research is needed to strongly
establish its positive effects on moderate drinkers.
What is Moderate Drinking of Red Wine?
Not everyone knows what moderate drinking means. According to Puckette (2014), a standard drink contains 5-6 ounces (~150-180ml) or about 3/4 of a regular cup.
The Mayo Clinic (n.d.) specifies that a drink pertains to any of the following:
· 12 ounces (355 milliliters, or mL) of beer
· 5 ounces (148 mL) of wine
· 1.5 ounces (44 mL) of 80-proof distilled spirits
|
On the
other hand, the 2016 European clinical practice guidelines on cardiovascular
disease prevention define light-to-moderate drinking of alcoholic beverage as
15–30 grams (g) per day of ethanol, which is around 130–250 mL of wine/day
(Markoski, Garavaglia, Oliveira, Olivaes,& Marcadenti, 2016).
Recommendations for moderate drinking of red wine vary for men and women. Godman (2014) states: "... no more than one drink day for women, and no more than two drinks a day for men" (Drink in moderation - or not at all section, para. 8).
Notwithstanding red wine’s advantages, there are research findings
that contradict such notions. Dr. Richard Semba and colleagues (2014) conducted
a study in Italy in which 783 elderly men and women (i.e. aged 65 years old and
above) participated from 1998 to 2009. They attempted to investigate if a
diet-induced resveratrol level had a positive impact on inflammation, cancer,
cardiovascular disease, and human longevity. They observed that said
antioxidant does not have any direct effect on such conditions.
Dr. Semba posited that any benefit of red wine, if present, may
come from other compounds and not only from resveratrol (Roberts, 2014). He and
his fellow researchers described their work as pioneering for piloting a study
that examined the effects of diet-based resveratrol to human health through
urine samples (Ellis, 2013).
Furthermore, as explained by WSU Professor Min Du who examined the
effects of resveratrol on excess white fat in mice, red wines only consist of
minimal amounts of phenolic compounds. He pointed out that “Many of the
beneficial polyphenols are insoluble and get filtered out during the wine
production process.” Thus, he advised that instead of drinking red wine,it is
better to eat fruits rich in resveratrol, such as
blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apples (Phillips, 2015).
In spite of the opposing views given by Dr. Semba et al., there is
no clear answer if resveratrol in red wine is truly valuable or not to an
individual. Roberts (2014) opined that more clinical research and experiments
are necessary to establish red wine’s effects on human health.
Published clinical studies about red wine state its seeming
favorable effects on moderate drinkers. Made out of fermented grapes and paired
with different types of food, it is reported to reduce the risk of developing
various diseases (e.g., dementia, hypertension, cancer, NFLD, cirrhosis, AMD,
acne) by improving the health of the following body organs:
·
Brain
·
Heart
·
Liver
·
Eyes
·
Skin
Consuming 1-2 glasses of red wine a day may also contribute to:
·
Curbing obesity and diabetes
·
Protecting blood vessels and inhibiting atherosclerosis
·
Activating or reinforcing cells for bone formation
·
Promotes anti-aging and restful bedtime
Despite these findings, some health experts caution that such
results are inconclusive, for red wine contains a small amount of beneficial
chemical compounds. Thus, further medical research is needed to strongly
establish its positive effects on moderate drinkers.
Other Cited References
Andres-Lacueva, C., Bandinelli, S., Bartali, B., Cherubini, A.,
Ferrucci, L., Semba, R.D., Sun, K., Urpi-sarda, M. & Zamora-Ros, R. (2014).
Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling
adults. JAMA Internal Medicine. 174(7):1077-1084.
doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.1582
Culzac, N. (2014). Antioxidant in red wine could help reduce acne, study says. The
Independent.
Ellis, M. (2014). Health benefits of red wine antioxidant questioned in study. Medical News Today.
Ferrieres, J. (2004). The French Paradox: Lessons for other countries. Heart. 90:107-111
Mayo Clinic. (2014). Diseases and Conditions.
Merz, T. (2014). Red wine: the unexpected health benefits. Telegraph.
Nordqvist, C. (2013). What are the benefits of wine. Medical News Today.
Phillips, R. (2015). WSU scientists turn white fat into obesity-fighting beige fat.
Roberts, M. (2014). Red wine health benefits “overhyped”. BBC NEWS.
Szmitko, P.E. & Verma, S. (2005). Red wine and your heart. Circulation. 111:e10-e11. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000151608.29217.62
Storino, J., Golbin, Y. (2009). Dorma, dorma, dorma...Sleep and Health Journal.
Vorvick, L. J. (2013). Wine and heart health.
Ellis, M. (2014). Health benefits of red wine antioxidant questioned in study. Medical News Today.
Ferrieres, J. (2004). The French Paradox: Lessons for other countries. Heart. 90:107-111
Mayo Clinic. (2014). Diseases and Conditions.
Merz, T. (2014). Red wine: the unexpected health benefits. Telegraph.
Nordqvist, C. (2013). What are the benefits of wine. Medical News Today.
Phillips, R. (2015). WSU scientists turn white fat into obesity-fighting beige fat.
Roberts, M. (2014). Red wine health benefits “overhyped”. BBC NEWS.
Szmitko, P.E. & Verma, S. (2005). Red wine and your heart. Circulation. 111:e10-e11. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000151608.29217.62
Storino, J., Golbin, Y. (2009). Dorma, dorma, dorma...Sleep and Health Journal.
Vorvick, L. J. (2013). Wine and heart health.
Note: *A.M.
Samson, a US-based registered nurse, co-wrote some parts of this article.
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