We Heart Red Wine
If you've been giving your 'temple' a bit of a spring detox recently, or simply carrying out your Lenten observances, here's a fantastic reason (as if we winos needed one!) to treat yourself to something red! As most of us are aware, the various health benefits of red wine have been well documented in recent years. Various studies have shown its positive effects on heart health - increasing “good” cholesterol while combatting the bad stuff, preventing blood clots, and protecting against general arterial damage.
We've all the heard the terms 'flavonoids' and 'antioxidants' bandied about, but it's the polyphenol known as 'resveratrol', naturally occuring in red wine, which is causing something of a stir among the scientific community recently.
Results from continuing studies led researchers to believe that the compound, found in the skin of red grapes, works by increasing the activity of a particular family of proteins found throughout the body, but until recently they had not been able to establish a conclusive link between the two.
These proteins, known as 'sirtuins', are known to fight age-related illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Dr David Sinclair, who oversaw the clinical study, said:
“Now that we know the exact location where and how reservatrol works, we can engineer even better molecules that more precisely and effectively trigger the effects of resveratrol”.
So what does this mean for you and me? Essentially, this latest discovery will enable the development of more advanced anti-aging medications. Great! We're down with that. What else does it mean? It's yet another reason why drinking moderate amounts of red wine is actually good for you!
In fact, all types of alcohol can benefit your health, not just red wine. Drinking moderate amounts may
Results from continuing studies led researchers to believe that the compound, found in the skin of red grapes, works by increasing the activity of a particular family of proteins found throughout the body, but until recently they had not been able to establish a conclusive link between the two.
These proteins, known as 'sirtuins', are known to fight age-related illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Dr David Sinclair, who oversaw the clinical study, said:
“Now that we know the exact location -
Reduce your risk of developing heart disease
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Reduce your risk of heart attack
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Reduce your risk of strokes
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Reduce your risk of developing gallstones
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Reduce your risk of diabetes
With such a negative media focus on drinking in recent times, it can be easy to forget that there are any benefits at all, and feel guilty every time you pull the cork on your favourite bottle. Aside from its now proven anti-aging powers, red wine can also help fight obesity, diabetes, inflammation and osteoporosis. Other great sources of this wonder-compound 'resveratrol' are peanuts, blueberries, and cranberries. But we didn't tell you that ;-)
