Wine and Health - Do They Go Together?

By Steven Magill

The discussion on wine and health has been growing in the medical community and it leaves many wondering if the two go together. The consumption of wine has been an issue of growing enormity over the past several years. Here we will study the positives and negatives of wine consumption and get through some of the myths to see what is best for you, the consumer.

Many people attribute the low level of heart disease in countries like France to the fact that the French consume much more wine, specifically red wine, than people in many other countries. It isn't just being discussed that wine can lower the risks of heart disease; many other medical issues are being studies as well. Some of these include cancer, cholesterol, diabetes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.

Wine contains an important ingredient, Resveratrol, which is at the heart of most of the recent studies into wine consumption. Resveratrol is found in larger quantities in red wine, because it is found in the skin of the grapes. The skin is left on for much longer in the brewing process of red wine, and removed much sooner in white wine, which is why studies have shown that the levels of Resveratrol are higher in red wines. Types like Cabernet and Pinot Noir lead the pack in the highest levels of Resveratrol in the wine.

The wine and health study is particularly interesting because wine is potentially able to lower the amount of cancer causing cells in the body, and has been seen in some studies (of rats, not yet in humans) to be good at stunting the growth of cancerous tumors within the body. It is also being studied in the field of Neurology because it may be that wine can allow nerve cells to be produced, which can help in diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, which helps people feel and look younger, many reporting that they are able to move around much more comfortably than before they began supplementing their diets with red wine or more pure Resveratrol concentration in supplements.

It is very important to review that most of the studies and medical professionals agree that wine is good for you, but in moderation. Moderation is defined at between one and two glasses per day. Anything over and above that amount can actually be very detrimental to your health and is not recommended. Many studies have shown that to be most effective, the doses in rats equal that of over 100 bottles of red wine per day, which is obviously impossible for a human to consume. That is why many supplement companies are offering high dose Resveratrol supplements to increase the amount of Resveratrol intake without consuming harmful levels of alcohol.

Although the effects of wine and Resveratrol are still very controversial, the facts don't lie. Medical professionals have seen benefits to consuming low amounts of wine daily and many recommend it to their patients who suffer from diseases like heart disease. The wine may be able to strengthen the walls of the arteries and decrease the risks of heart disease. It will be very interesting to see over the next several years what developments take place in the area of wine and health to allow us to better understand the many benefits of wine consumption.

Finally, one site for you to get all the information you need about wine aerators and how one complete breathing system can completely change the way you enjoy a glass of wine If your trying to lose weight make every glass count.

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The Power of Mediteranean Diet

By Geoffrey L  

Did you know that mediteranean diet is regarded as one of the healthiest diet which has been in observed for so many years to date. The mediterranian diet is recognized by food high in;

a. Use of mono-unsaturated fats such as Olive oil as their main source of fat and cooking.
b. Low to moderate use of amounts of wine.
c. A lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, potatoes, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grain bread.
d. Plenty of whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, bread and pasta.
e. Much less consumption of animal products such as milk, fish, poultry and beef.

Mediterranian diet or food are generally fresh, seasonal whole foods which have not gone through processing which tend to strip off nutrients and fiber, but instead they are prepared using simple cooking methods and not usually have to do deep frying.

According to Archives of Internal Medicine, December 2008, phenolic compounds may explain mediteranean diet benefits where blood vessels appear healthier after individuals consume olive oil high in phenolic compounds.

Phenolic compounds in Olive oil which have antioxidant, anti- inflammatory and anti-clotting properties may explain cardiovascular health benefits linked with mediterranian diet as per the new study.

Also another study as per American Journal of Clinical nutrition, December 2010 noted researchers in Israel found diet rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, like Mediterranean diet offered protection against skin cancer. They found that melanoma rates in Mediterranian region were very low.

So why do Mediterranean diet emphasize use of olive oil?

Well, Olive oil which is unsaturated fats is considered the King of oils, and this is not only due to its incredible taste, but because of its nutritive and medicinal qualities. It regulates cholesterol in the blood.

It is used to protect against constipation and also with problems with gallbladder. Olives are rich in fats i.e. 36% and also have proteins which is 3%. Olive oil is rich in vitamins such as A, B1, B2, C, D, E and K and Iron.

I believe you have most likely heard of virgin and extra virgin olive oil and noticed them in your local store. Olive oil is pressed from harvested ripe olives and oil from the first pressing is classified as virgin. And extra virgin oil is oil from the first pressing that is usually low in acid less 1%.

What are the benefits of mediteranean diet

Overall the advantages of mediterranian diet is focused or geared towards health, and also to preserve a healthy weight.

Transforming your diet into mediteranean diet means positioning yourself in the right route to a healthy way of life like avoiding lifestyle diseases, keeping a healthy weight, looking younger and more energetic and many more other health benefits.

Keep in mind mediteranean diet is rich in;

1. Mono-unsaturated fats such as olive oil which is known to regulate cholesterol in the blood and other benefits such as cancer prevention.

2. Carotenoids which is found in colored fruits and vegetables known in its role in cancer prevention, defense from heart disease and antioxidants which safeguards arteries lining and fats in the blood from free radicals.

3. Phytochemicals which are basically substances produced in plants to protect them from viruses, fungi and bacteria.

How do I get started with Mediterranean diet? Where there is a will, there is a way. Getting started into this diet is simple and it involves;

1. Start using mono-unsaturated healthy fats such as olive oil for cooking instead of saturated fats found in animal products.

2. Choose whole grains e.g. rice, pasta, bread and legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils. I favor dried instead of canned since preservatives are used to prolong shelf life.

3. Choose a range of fresh colored fresh fruits and vegetables.

4. Incorporate potatoes, sweet potatoes in your diet and above all choose water instead of cola drinks which are full of empty calories.

All these tips needs a little adjustment and soon, its going to be a formed habit of leading a healthy lifestyle.

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