Red wine is a beverage enjoyed by millions throughout the world; the excellent accompaniment to many various foods as well as being a desirable beverage to sip by itself.

To the pleasure of numerous a red wine-drinker, the beverage has several health advantages too. Health benefits were primary suspected due to what is known as the ‘French paradox’; that is, the actuality that in France people dine a very rich fat diet such as foods like foie gras and cheeses being consumed in large quantities, yet occurrences of coronary heart ailment are relatively low.

Studies into this paradox led to the inference that it was French people’s consumption of red wine that was defending their hearts from the saturated fat they eat. When this facts was aired on TV in 1991 in the United States, sales of red wine increased by 44 per cent. Ensuing  studies have suggested that the portion of heart malady in France could have been underestimated, but there is still no negation the red stuff does really have some excellent health advantages.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is the star of the exposition when it comes to wine. This intense antioxidant is found in the skins and kernels of red grapes and has an anti-clotting result on the blood which can lessen the peril of stroke and heart attack.

Resveratrol is also a phytoestrogen, meaning it imitates estrogens in the body and therefore may assist conditions caused by decrement in natural estrogen in the body, like the menopause, osteoporosis, breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.

This antioxidant has also been found in studies to grow the amount of healthy cholesterol, HDL, in the blood, and diminish the portion of unpleasant cholesterol, LDL.
There are other antioxidants contained within the wine that are thought to have alike protective benefits, including saponins which may provide defensive heart benefits, catechin, which is thought to reduce the hazard of heart ailment, and guercetin which is being studied as a protective against lung cancer. Farther scientific study is needed anyway on these antioxidants before any determinate claims can be made.

One particular study, extensively reported in the media, suggested that Cabernet Sauvignon may in fact offer the best health advantages of the red wines.

Modest consumption

Of course, the suggestion for consumption of red wine, as with any alcohol, is to drink it in decency; one or two small glasses a day, lest the alcohol content will override any health-giving benefits the wine provides to the body.