Health & Science: Have a glass of wine (for your health)

You may already be aware that this drink is best served with red meat, that it is an essential ingredient to making excellent Sangria, and a necessary component for wonderful wine and cheese parties. But did you know that drinking red wine in moderation may help protect you against colds and lower your risk for certain cancers and heart disease?

Scientists from Spain have found that drinking wine, particularly red varieties, helps prevent people from contracting the common cold, according to an article from BBC News. The article stated that researchers from five universities found that people who drank about two glasses of red wine a day had 44 percent fewer colds than people who never drink alcohol or drink it in limited quantities.

Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, reported to BBC News that the reason that red wine can potentially ward off colds may be a result of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are compounds responsible for the health beneficial powers of red wine. "Lifestyle factors - such as sipping red wine at home rather than drinking in crowded pubs - could also be a factor," said Eccles.

The British Heart Foundation warns that although moderate drinking may provide beneficial health benefits, drinking in excess could prove detrimental. High alcohol consumption has the potential to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Drinking too much potentially raises the level of triglycerides (fats) in the blood and can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and higher caloric intake, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

The AHA recommends and describes moderate drinking as including one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. For red wine, this would translate into consuming one to two 4-ounce glasses of wine. "Sensible limits in the UK and EU are two to three glasses of red wine per day for women and three to four glasses for men," according to www.red-wine-and-health.com.

Although there may be a positive correlation between moderate alcohol consumption and lowering the risk for certain diseases, the AHA Web site warns that "no scientific proof that drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverage can replace conventional measures." Conventional measures include lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, controlling your weight, getting sufficient exercise, and following a healthy diet. Also, people who use aspirin on a regular basis are strongly recommended not to consume alcohol.

Studies have been conducted, however, that show that flavonoids and antioxidants present in red wine are involved in reducing heart disease risk. Flavonoids are compounds found within fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds and can be found in wines. Eating foods containing flavonoids has been linked with decreasing coronary heart disease. People with a lower consumption of foods containing flavonoids had a higher death rate from coronary heart disease than those who consumed greater amounts of flavonoids.

Evidence proving the ability for flavonoids to decrease atherosclerosis has been based on its antioxidant characteristics. In red wine, phenolic substances slow the production of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL). Also, flavonoids have been proven to reduce the build-up and adhesion of platelets in the blood, another method of lowering heart disease risk.

The AHA states that these positive connections may also be attributed to other lifestyle factors, rather than solely based on red wine consumption, including increased physical activity and a diet high in fruits and vegetables and lower in saturated fats. Since findings are inconclusive and are still being studied, further research is needed to confirm the positive health benefits of drinking wine. This includes the specific role of antioxidants, an increase in High-Density Liprotein (HDL) production, and anti-clotting properties.

It's best to drink red wine in moderation. Remember to always consult your doctor to make sure that you are not putting yourself at further risk for high blood pressure or other cardiovascular risks. On the flip side, keep in mind the healthful benefits of consuming red wine. Cheers!