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A Glass of Wine a Day May Help Keep the Doctor Away

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While doctors and health gurus are constantly adding to the list of what not to eat and drink, a number of recent reports have dared to show that the benefits of drinking wine, in moderation, may actually be good for your health.

Boost Your Memory

Alcohol in excessive amounts can most certainly blot out the memory, but one interesting study by researchers shows that women in their 70s who drank a glass or more of wine each day scored much better in memory tests than their tee-total sisters. Wine is known to reduce inflammation in blood vessels and helps prevent clots, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease and age-related memory problems.

Lower Risk of Heart Attack

Red wine in particular has been shown to lower the risk of a heart attack by 30% to 50% for those in middle age. It may also help prevent a further heart attack in those who have already suffered from one. Certainly those who embrace a Mediterranean diet are shown to have lower risks of heart disease. However, the recommended wine consumption is a moderate one glass per day for women and two glasses for men.

Counter Bacteria and Germs

As little as half a glass of wine can counter germs such as salmonella which are the main cause of food poisoning. Studies also show that the helicobacter pylori bacteria, which is responsible for gastritis, stomach ulcers and stomach cancers, is reduced by 11% in those who drink a glass of wine a day.

Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risks

Significant research into ovarian cancer has concluded that a glass of wine a day can significantly reduce the risk of this disease. Wine is known to be rich in antioxidants including resveratrol, flavonoids and phytoestrogens which are thought to have anti-cancer properties.

Boost Bone Mass

Alcohol is known to raise levels of the hormone estrogen, which in turn helps maintain our bone mass as we age. Women who drink have been shown to retain a higher bone mass than those who don’t, which is more good news for women’s health.

Lower Diabetic Risk

Diabetes has become the scourge of our generation but women under the age of menopause have a 40% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes than women in the same age group who do not drink. This was the conclusion of a 10-year study by Harvard Medical School. In diabetics, wine also seems to reduce insulin resistance, although the reasons are not yet understood.

If all this makes you feel like celebrating with a bottle of wine, take note of the warnings issued by the American Heart Association. The AHA recommends just one drink a day for women and one or two drinks per day for men, which should be measured as 4 fluid ounces of wine, one fluid ounce of 100% proof spirits or 12 fluid ounces of beer. The message is to drink in moderation and remember, everyone’s body is different.