Excessive and binge drinking alcohol is best avoided, but drinking wine moderately can have significant benefits to people's health. Moderate wine consumption can reportedly reduce Alzheimer's patients' chances of succumbing to their condition.
Conflicting Reports For Wine Drinkers
A new research from the University of Copenhagen's Department of Public Health found that Alzheimer's patients who consumed two to three alcoholic drinks each day have lower mortality rates over 36 months, Wine Spectator reported. Their chances of dying due to Alzheimer's disease are significantly lower than their counterparts who only consumed 1 drink or less per day, and those who refrained from alcohol completely.
Several studies attested that women drinking wine moderately have lower risks of developing cardiovascular diseases, but they have higher chances of developing breast cancer. A research from the University of Southern Denmark found that women who consume two alcoholic units per day are 30 percent more likely to develop breast cancer, but are 20 percent less likely to have cardiovascular problems, Wine Spectator further reported.
Wine Contains Helpful Antioxidants
Postmenopausal women and men above 40 years old benefit the most from consuming one or two alcoholic drinks per day, according to BBC Good Food. It's unknown whether the same thing can be said for the younger population, who are low risks of heart diseases anyway.
However, it should be noted that drinking more than two units of alcohol a day can be harmful to the body, the British Heart Foundation wrote. Binge drinking can lead to health issues such as loss of libido, menstrual problems, liver disease, clinical depression and nerve and muscle damage.
Wines, specifically red wine, contain antioxidants like quercetin and resveratrol, which can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Red wine also has high levels of polyphenols, a dietary antioxidant. The darker the wine is, the more it has polyphenols.
Cabernet sauvignon grapes, merlot, zinfandel, syrah and petit syrah have high levels of polyphenols. Andrew Waterhouse, a professor at the University of California, said wines made in milder regions including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rioja and California's Napa Valley have higher antioxidant content than wines that originate from hot places like southern Italy and Languedoc, France.
Red wine's resveratrol can reportedly help the human body from experiencing the negative effects of a high-fat diet, the Daily News & Analysis reported from a study conducted by researchers from Georgetown University. The good effects of resveratrol are most evident in the hind leg muscles of people with a high fat/sugar diet.
