Did you know that drinking red wine in moderation may be good for your health? The alcohol and antioxidants in red wine are believed to help prevent heart disease.
The difference between red wine and white wine is that red wine retains the skin of the grapes during the fermentation process and this is where the beneficial chemicals are found.
Red wine contains alcohol and a chemical called polyphenol that helps to protect the lining of the blood vessels in the heart. Reseveratol is the active ingredient in the polyphenol that acts as an antioxidant. The low content of alcohol in red wine may also protect the lining of the blood vessels by preventing blood clots, lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising the good cholesterol (HDL).
Other potential benefits of red wine include:
- Improving the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract
- Lowering blood pressure
- Helping the body digest glucose which is important in diabetes control
- Protecting vision
- Preventing stroke patients from having recurrences.
Although red wine can provide benefits for heart health, it is important to drink it in moderation. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is not good for the body. For those who decide to add red wine to their diet, a moderate amount is considered to be:
- For women of any age, one 5 ounce glass of wine per day
- For men 65 years old or older, one 5 ounce glass of wine per day
- For men up to the age of 65, two 5-ounce glasses of wine per day
One 5 ounce serving of red wine contains 125 calories, 1 gram of sugar, 4 grams of carbohydrates, and a small amount of iron, calcium, some vitamins and minerals.
Please keep in mind that there are risks in consuming alcoholic beverages. Never consume any beverage with alcohol if you have underlying health issues or take certain medications. Never drink and drive or operate any type of equipment while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.
Consult with your physician if you consume alcoholic beverages on a regular or semi-regular basis to make sure that your body can tolerate it. You may schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.